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| Title | Le pays de l’or brûlant (The Land of Burning Gold) |
| Author | Ronimund Hubert Von Bissing |
| Publisher | Castor Poche Flammarion |
| Reading year | 1992 |
| Keywords | initiatory journey, discovery, empathy, adolescence, help, support, listening |
Introduction▲
I share my personal view on this book that I read during my adolescence. For a memorable memory among my youthful readings.
1. The plot of the book
A brother and a sister, David and Marie, wake up on a deserted beach, in an unknown land. They see a hut in front of which sits a man with a beautiful brown beard. In response to their questions, he tells them the story of the Burning Gold Lake. The two children decide to go in search of this lake surrounded by mysteries. The man warns them of the dangers and gives each of them a medallion.
The road is long, full of traps and temptations. Will David and Marie be able to uncover the true intentions of the people they meet? Will they be able to find the secret of their medallions? Will they take the right path?
2. My personal summary of the book
A brother and sister find themselves inexplicably in a strange place. Very quickly, an unknown man entrusts each of them with a medallion that the children must keep and never part with, but he does not say why or what it is for. Strange world. They are told that there is a lake of Burning Gold and that if they find it, they will become very rich. The duo then decides to explore these Unknown Lands to find it.
Budding adventurers without resources. A first house to sleep in and basic food in exchange for domestic help for the owner of the place. Iron discipline. Hard work. Severe punishments and mistreatment in case of disobedience and breaches of the rules. Their medallions are coveted. Precarious situation. The children decide to run away. Another house where everything is permitted. Games, distractions, sweets… The name of the residence: The Deception. New escape.
And then to realize on the way that the medallion becomes cold when danger arises or is perceived as such, warm when the situation is pleasant, and neither one nor the other when nothing in particular is to be reported. Sensational discovery. Full speed ahead! The journey continues on the path, with complete confidence now. Too much. Forgetting the feeling of the temperature of the medallion. And it is wandering in a hostile environment. Trusting your medallion to get through it. Adventures. Misadventures.
At the end of the journey, to realize that you have returned to the same place but time has passed. Another space-time therefore. It is the end of the journey. The man of the medallion is waiting for them; he reveals to the children that the trials are over, that they have found the lake of Burning Gold. It was in fact their medallion, which can never be taken away from them because he melts it in their hearts. The children have become rich.
Wake up. Go home. In their bed. Mom and Dad are there. The kids were sick and are now cured. Really? An unforgettable life experience, for sure.
3. My personal opinion in a few words
This book opens the reflection on sensitivity. One’s own sensitivity, one’s own strength, one’s own courage. The reality of one’s feelings and what to do with them in one’s life. The story thus constitutes an initiatory journey allowing two children to meet, to discover their own resources.
Conclusion▲
I highly recommend reading this book for young and old alike, especially people who want to think about the role of empathy and emotions in decision-making. Really useful and a pleasure to read.