Review of LIFE’S tuition Fees

[Shrabastee Chakraborty]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "LIFE'S tuition Fees" by Alex Tsotros.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Unsatisfied with his stressful life in Greece, Frangiskos “Frank” Hasides arrived in South Africa with his wife. Here, he started a café before founding a chain of dry cleaners. One day, he met Mr. Karantoglou, a high-profile merchant who introduced him to the lucrative business of diamond dealing. Renowned for his honesty and strong work ethic, Frank soon climbed the ladder of success, making huge profits. However, his perfect world shattered when his trusted business partner-cum-best friend, Karantoglou, betrayed him. You have to read Life’s Tuition Fees: A Diamond Dealer’s Baptism by Fire in South Africa by Alex Tsotros to learn the life lessons Frank gleaned from this treacherous act.

Despite its short length, the book was remarkable in many aspects. I found it problematic to include this work in a specific category. Akin to a self-help book, it offered valuable insights on business tactics and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, it presented a fictionalized account of a person’s life experiences that involved multiple characters and stories. Overall, this genre-defying book proved to be quite intriguing.

Tsotros worked as a Gemologist and diamond dealer in South Africa for years. It was evident that his vast experiences had shaped the book’s contents. He detailed the incredible transformation of a diamond from a rough, uncut stone to a cut and polished gem. I gathered fascinating pieces of information about diamond processing and pricing. Despite my lack of interest in business ventures, the frequent tidbits about the usual practices of diamond dealers enriched my knowledge.

I admired Tsotros’ keen eye for observing the quirks of human behavior. As a long-time dealer, Frank often encountered curious characters. Some were honest and hard-working, possessing a love for the gems. For example, I liked Frank’s character as he was not solely after the money but craved to know more about the unique properties of diamonds. On the other hand, many dealers and buyers lacked a moral compass, conning others for their selfish gain. The book highlighted several scams in the diamond industry, which Tsotros dubbed the “school fees” of life. These anecdotes were at times hilarious but primarily included humbling experiences involving a loss of money, faith, and reputation.

My reading experience generated several complaints, however. I found a few editing errors, although they did not detract from my enjoyment. The pace seemed to slacken at times, for example, whenever Tsotros described Frank's profits in exhaustive detail. Although the prologue hinted at a heinous crime, the actual incident did not appear until the end. Despite the ensuing upheaval, the outcome seemed a little anticlimactic.

Based on the points mentioned above, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a short yet intriguing read about the facets of the diamond industry. The book would suit both young and adult readers.

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LIFE'S tuition Fees
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[TheGayOne12]

I don't think this book is for me, but your review was absolutely amazing. Great job!

[Precious_Nzeakor]

The author seems to have done a great job. Thank you for the review

[Mmaduabuchi Eze]

The book's description of diamond business is fascinating. I am also impressed by the establishment of ethics over materialism; it shouldn't only be about the money, but also about the growth and development of whatever we do. Glad to see Frank strike a balance at the two.

[Patty Allread]

I really like the title, Life's Tuition Fees. It made me think of 'hard-earned lessons of life' or something similar. Now that I've read your review, I think that fits.

[Amy Luman]

The people who are most honest and trusting are the ones who seem to get the worst of business dealings. Thanks for the review!

[Essy Nma]

What a good title for the discussion of diamonds. Thanks for the review.

[Aisha Yakub]

The title of this book brought me here. Now, I know what to expect from reading this. Great review.

[Chinenye Achilike]

Thanks for the review. It stirs my interest in reading this book because I believe I'll get one or two tips on business and entrepreneurship.