Official Review: Notes from the Bottom of the World

[Ruba Abu Ali]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Notes from the Bottom of the World" by Suzanne Adam.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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“Our hopes and endeavors may or may not bear fruit. That’s the challenge that enriches us- not knowing the outcome,” says Suzanne Adam.

Notes from the Bottom of the World; A Life in Chile by Suzanne Adam, just short of 250 pages, is divided into twelve chapters compiling sixty-three short personal essays. It falls under the genres of autobiography and travel literature. It will be released on November 6th, 2018.

In this self-discovery journey, Adam uses the first-person narrative. She starts off with her attendance at the fiftieth high school reunion in California. She catches up with previous classmates and rekindles some old friendships. She also provides glimpses into her mother, father, and her moving to Chile in 1972 to marry her Chilean boyfriend Santiago. Living in Chile for forty years offers her a wealth of material on the culture, the people, the difficulties, and the exotic Chilean landscape. In her twenties, she worked in Columbia for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. These couple of years left a permanent impact on her life. It is not until fifty years later that she can go back to Columbia for a visit.

While in Chile, she works as a teacher for learning-disabled children and has two sons. This is a pluripotent woman with multiple talents and interests. She finds a hub in writing after retirement from teaching. She has also been an avid reader all her life and has an interest in gardening and bird watching amongst other things.

Has her expat journey in Chile been roses? Does the nostalgia for her California roots override her ability to adapt and flourish in the Chilean culture? Will she have the chance to go back and visit her country?

Adam’s language is eloquent and rich in colorful vocabulary, but unassuming. Her narrative is smooth and engaging. Her literary style instills in you the feeling of depth and warmth, akin to two friends sitting together and having a heartfelt chat.

Adam has a strong sense of place, and her love of nature is a thread woven throughout the prose. I liked the sincerity and the transparency in her words. An example is when she gives a front-row seat on how it feels for a woman to age, as well as the physical and the psychological changes this entails. Here she says, referring to her son, “Maybe Nico can see a bit of the twenty-year-old me through my seventy-three-year-old exterior.”

She offers valuable insight into friendship, travel, nature, gardening, and spirituality. She also voices her opinion on several thought-provoking issues like solitude, aging, and the struggles with memory lapses. The book is rich in pearls of wisdom touching on the reciprocity of love. I particularly appreciated the book references Adam had sprinkled gracefully in her essays.

The parts pertaining to Adam’s tortoise were humorous and light on the heart. She says, “Speedy Gonzalez, our tortoise, recently emerged from hibernation. In spite of his lengthy seclusion, he often tiptoes his way into our bedroom, squeezing into a corner under the radiator. I don’t mind him there, but if I were he, I’d want to be outside. As he’s not the expressive type, I have no way of knowing his thoughts on the subject.”

She also speaks of the loving community of Chilean women surrounding her. Through her words, she’s able to transfer this love to the readers.

A favorite part of mine was her revisit to Columbia after so many years of leaving it. This book gives a beautiful portrayal of how a family doesn’t have to be blood.

The only query I had was regarding the author not providing more details on her husband Santiago and her relation with him. It then came to my knowledge that she wrote a full book prior to this one entitled “Marrying Santiago!”

This has been one of the few books I tried to lag in sailing through, for as much as it was a page turner, I wanted to savor every word and linger in it for as long as I could.

I cannot think of anything to dislike about Notes from the Bottom of the World. It would appeal to a wide array of readers. I recommend it to those who enjoy a good dose of compassionate wisdom and inspiration. People who enjoy travel and nature will be satisfied. Those interested in gardening and birds will find it handy and entertaining. Readers seeking stimulating and intriguing book recommendations will be delighted. Any person looking for a gripping, genuine, and thought-stimulating read will be pleased to lay eyes on this one.

The authenticity and the graceful prose gave me moments of sheer joy and contemplation. I laughed, I cried, and I identified with the nurturing care Adam had dispersed. This book is a testament to the life surging within the body of a seventieth woman. Having all this in mind, and with the book being professionally edited and virtually error-free, I gladly rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

Allow me to wrap up with these words of Adam, “My roots penetrate deep into two lands, California and Chile- their peoples, their cultures, and their landscapes. Each has contributed to the shape my immigrant life has taken.”

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Notes from the Bottom of the World
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Like Ruba Abu Ali's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Debjani Ghosh]

This seems to be a soul-satisfying collection of personal essays. I will definitely check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation!

[T_stone]

A very good collection of essays that are secluded to the author. A book full of wisdom and inspiration sounds like a good book to try out. Thanks for the review

[Ruba Abu Ali]

This seems to be a soul-satisfying collection of personal essays. I will definitely check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation!

Welcome! It's a treasure of wisdom and inspiration. Definitely recommended. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Ruba Abu Ali]

A very good collection of essays that are secluded to the author. A book full of wisdom and inspiration sounds like a good book to try out. Thanks for the review

Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.

[fredrick otieno]

A very heart warming collection. This is the kind of book i would read over and over again. The review is good and thank you for it.

[Ruba Abu Ali]

A very heart warming collection. This is the kind of book i would read over and over again. The review is good and thank you for it.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Thanks for dropping by and giving your thoughts.

[Rosemary Khathibe]

The book comprising wisdom and inspiration is really a must read. I would also like to know the author's thoughts and opinions about aging. Great review!

[Ruba Abu Ali]

The book comprising wisdom and inspiration is really a must read. I would also like to know the author's thoughts and opinions about aging. Great review!

Thanks for the kind words. The author has some genuine and heart-warming thoughts and feelings on aging amongst other issues. Highly advised!

[EvaDar]

A collection of stories about travel and life experiences in South America sounds intriguing. It sounds like a beautiful book. Thanks for the thorough review.

[Cecilia_L]

She offers valuable insight into friendship, travel, nature, gardening, and spirituality. She also voices her opinion on several thought-provoking issues like solitude, aging, and the struggles with memory lapses. The book is rich in pearls of wisdom touching on the reciprocity of love. I particularly appreciated the book references Adam had sprinkled gracefully in her essays.

Your description of these essays really appeals to me. Sounds like an enjoyable read. Thanks for the great review, Ruba!

[Ruba Abu Ali]

She offers valuable insight into friendship, travel, nature, gardening, and spirituality. She also voices her opinion on several thought-provoking issues like solitude, aging, and the struggles with memory lapses. The book is rich in pearls of wisdom touching on the reciprocity of love. I particularly appreciated the book references Adam had sprinkled gracefully in her essays.

Your description of these essays really appeals to me. Sounds like an enjoyable read. Thanks for the great review, Ruba!

A mere review doesn't do this book justice. It's a keeper! I think I will go back to it every now and then to get inspired. Thank you much Cecilia. I appreciate your input.

[Ruba Abu Ali]

A collection of stories about travel and life experiences in South America sounds intriguing. It sounds like a beautiful book. Thanks for the thorough review.

It is indeed one of the most memorable books I have read. Thanks for checking out my review and for sharing your thoughts, Eva!

[kandscreeley]

It seems like the author has quite a bit of wisdom to share in this one. I just don't think the format would be right for me. A collection of essays isn't my style nor are autobiographies. I think I'll pass, but I do like the quotes. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one.

[Ruba Abu Ali]

It seems like the author has quite a bit of wisdom to share in this one. I just don't think the format would be right for me. A collection of essays isn't my style nor are autobiographies. I think I'll pass, but I do like the quotes. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one.

I appreciate your candid input. Thanks for dropping by and for sharing your thoughts.