Official Review: Symposer’s Dream by Mehdi Taifi

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 27 Apr 2019, 21:29

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Symposer’s Dream" by Mehdi Taifi.]

2 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever had one of those dreams that really sticks with you? The kind you wake up thinking about and continue to mull over for the rest of the day? What was the significance of that event? Why was that person from my past in it? Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Is the universe trying to tell me something?

Symposer’s Dream by Mehdi Taifi is a story that begins with such a dream. Eddy, the main character, wakes from an extremely vivid dream which includes his ex-girlfriend and a mysterious island. This is just the first in a series of related dreams that throw him off his game for weeks. Then he starts noticing strange occurrences and images during his waking hours as well – are they signs? Eddy begins to question his life choices and what kind of person he really is. These questions eventually lead him on a journey, both geographical and philosophical, as he travels from New York to Europe and Africa on a quest for self-discovery. He not only makes revelations about his own identity, but also explores themes such as human nature and the importance of cultural traditions versus modernization.

Symposer’s Dream comprises ten chapters, the first eight of which are told from Eddy’s first-person point of view. I would describe the narrative as stream of consciousness, as the author freely switches back and forth between Eddy’s actions and thoughts. Since this is such a philosophical book, I think this style works. Suddenly in the ninth chapter, however, the book switches to a third-person point of view and continues that way through the end. I understand why the author does it, as it is the only way to give the reader some important information to which Eddy himself is not privy, but this was a jarring switch for me. The primary problem is that the stream of consciousness writing continues, but now from the perspectives of all three people included in the ninth chapter, which makes it very choppy and confusing.

As far as the author’s writing style, I had a hard time deciding whether I liked it or not. Some areas of the book are beautifully written, while others are extremely lacking. The places where Taifi’s writing excels are in the descriptions of Eddy’s dreams. I felt like I was right there in the moment with him experiencing what he was experiencing and feeling what he was feeling. The author’s description of the country of Morocco, which Eddy visits during the novel, is also great. I can tell that this is a country the author is passionate about because he sets the scene so well. Unfortunately, most of the plot-driven scenes of the book are very bland and superficial. The areas of dialogue are also weak. Most conversations do not seem realistic, and I found the writing to be very sophomoric in these areas. The dialogue is further hampered by a great deal of distracting punctuation errors.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the story and was eager to keep reading it. I found myself caring about what happened to Eddy and excited about his philosophical breakthroughs. The only other quibble I have about the book is that at times it goes too far in clarifying things to me as the reader. Rather than allowing the characters to interact and letting me infer the motivations behind their actions, the author explains them to me. At the end of the book, the meanings of Eddy’s dreams and discoveries are directly spelled out, which denies the reader the opportunity to continue pondering the book after finishing it.

It was hard for me to decide what rating to give Symposer’s Dream, given that I loved some parts and disliked others. I would like to be able to give the book 2.5 stars, but since I can’t, I will give it 2 out of 4 stars. The large number of punctuation errors caused the loss of one point. The deficiencies in the writing style caused the loss of the second point. I do think this book could be great with a round of professional editing. I would recommend it to people who like to contemplate philosophical themes and enjoy a stream of consciousness narration.

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Symposer’s Dream
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Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 30 Apr 2019, 15:10

It does sound like this book would be much better with a round of editing. However, I don't think it is for me, as it is not the kind of novel I enjoy reading. Thank you for a great review!

Brendan Donaghy · Post by **Brendan Donaghy** » 30 Apr 2019, 16:54

I don't like the sound of this one, but thanks for your review.

writingShannon · Post by **writingShannon** » 30 Apr 2019, 17:34

I just finished reviewing another book that took place mostly in dreams or the main character's subconscious. While that book was well written, it made me realize how little I enjoy stories told from that point of view! This one sounds like it might fall in that category as well.

Bluebird03 · Post by **Bluebird03** » 30 Apr 2019, 18:47

You did an excellent job of explaining why you rated the story as you did. Another great review, unamilagra!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 30 Apr 2019, 19:19

I like the way you described the dreams and the setting. The philosophical perspective would be frustrating, though. Thanks for your insights about this book.

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 30 Apr 2019, 21:25

Prisallen wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 15:10 It does sound like this book would be much better with a round of editing. However, I don't think it is for me, as it is not the kind of novel I enjoy reading. Thank you for a great review!

Thanks for commenting! I would definitely say this isn't an ideal book for everyone.

Brendan Donaghy wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 16:54 I don't like the sound of this one, but thanks for your review.

Thanks for stopping by!

AKShanmar12 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 17:34 I just finished reviewing another book that took place mostly in dreams or the main character's subconscious. While that book was well written, it made me realize how little I enjoy stories told from that point of view! This one sounds like it might fall in that category as well.

Yes, this was definitely different than your average story, and it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Thanks for your comment!

Bluebird03 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 18:47 You did an excellent job of explaining why you rated the story as you did. Another great review, unamilagra!

Thank you!

kdstrack wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 19:19 I like the way you described the dreams and the setting. The philosophical perspective would be frustrating, though. Thanks for your insights about this book.

Thanks for your comment!

Nisha Ward · Post by **Nisha Ward** » 30 Apr 2019, 21:29

Despite the PoV shift, I was willing to give this one a chance, but I'm not sure I can knowing that the ending spells everything out. With something like this, that's definitely a downside.

Charlyt · Post by **Charlyt** » 01 May 2019, 00:23

It seems like an interesting plot, but the narrative needs more work. Great honest review!

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 01 May 2019, 06:05

Thanks for the review. This sounds like a nice read for anyone who enjoys adventures and philosophical thoughts as well. I would love to read this book.

RomanIV · Post by **RomanIV** » 01 May 2019, 09:02

This book does sound interesting but I don't think I'll give it a read, the truth is, I don't really like third person... However, I do like the ideas of this book. Thank you for you excellent review. -R <3

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 01 May 2019, 16:14

Nisha Ward wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 21:29 Despite the PoV shift, I was willing to give this one a chance, but I'm not sure I can knowing that the ending spells everything out. With something like this, that's definitely a downside.

Yes, as I was reading I was afraid I wouldn't "get it" when I got to the end, but it was so expressly explained that there was no question. It is a bit disappointing in that way. Thanks for your comment!

Charlyt wrote: ↑01 May 2019, 00:23 It seems like an interesting plot, but the narrative needs more work. Great honest review!

Thank you for your comment!

Kibetious wrote: ↑01 May 2019, 06:05 Thanks for the review. This sounds like a nice read for anyone who enjoys adventures and philosophical thoughts as well. I would love to read this book.

Thanks for commenting! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to check it out.

RomanIV wrote: ↑01 May 2019, 09:02 This book does sound interesting but I don't think I'll give it a read, the truth is, I don't really like third person... However, I do like the ideas of this book. Thank you for you excellent review. -R <3

Thank you for stopping by to comment!

Kristin Ransome · Post by **Kristin Ransome** » 02 May 2019, 08:15

I'm not too into philosophical narratives, and the way the author spells out the ending has me deciding this one is not for me! Thanks for your review!

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 03 May 2019, 08:07

Firefawkes wrote: ↑02 May 2019, 08:15 I'm not too into philosophical narratives, and the way the author spells out the ending has me deciding this one is not for me! Thanks for your review!

Thanks for commenting!