Novel Review

Title: Cecilia and the Angel

Writer: Jostein Gaarder

Publisher: Mizan

Year of Publication: 2019

Number of Pages: 216

As the title suggests, Cecilia and the Angel tells the story of a child named Cecilia who has to suffer from a serious illness in her body and only spends her day in bed.

Cecilia and the Angel begins when Christmas Eve arrives, an angel named Ariel comes to Cecilia, then they talk about angels and humans, and the nature of heaven. Angel Ariel accompanied Cecilia not only that night, but also the following nights.

Cecilia and Ariel became very close, like old friends who had not seen each other for a long time. The two of them discussed everything about earth and heaven, about the solar system, asteroids, and everything in outer space.

The activities they have done, seem to be an image that the angel Ariel is giving happiness to what Cecillia experienced before. On the last day they played, Cecilia and Ariel headed to the house of Cecilia's best friend, Marianne. Cecilia and seeing her felt moved as if they were going to be separated for good. After seeing Marianne secretly, Cecilia gave a small butterfly to her as a memory gift from her, Cecilia did not know that it would be her last memory gift with Marianne.

This keeps happening from day to day. Cecilia's condition is getting worse. The pain is getting worse. But the angel Ariel continues to give him happiness, invites him to understand the meaning of life until finally Cecilia sleeps forever.

Interesting Things in the Novel Cecilia and the Angel

There are many various philosophical conversations. In this case, because it is presented from the point of view of a small child who has a broad sense of curiosity, even by an angel who has friends who can be invited to discuss and just talk.

Then, this novel also presents a way of looking and thinking deeply about the nature of 'being-being' and 'being'. Because the story is wrapped in this form, the reader is made to reflect on the philosophical discipline with a more flowing and interesting discussion using light language even though the language is translated. Cecilia and the Angel displays thoughts that are far from the mainstream and outside the human mind.

If you want to learn philosophy in an easy and fun, this novel is perfect for you to read.

What is Missing in the Novel Cecilia and the Angel

What is lacking from the novel Cecilia and the Angel is that it does not clearly describe the time setting, precisely in what era. Perhaps it was intentional by the author because the focus point is the conversation and dialogue between Cecilia and the angel Ariel about 'being' and 'being'.

Apart from the shortcomings in the novel Cecilia and the Angel, this is not a barrier to the feasibility of this novel to be read. It is possible that the writer did this on purpose so that the readers could give their own interpretation.