Volunteer Review: My Trip to Adele

[Chrys Brobbey]

[Following is a volunteer OnlineBookClub.org review of "My Trip to Adele by R.I. and A.I. Alyaseer]

My Trip to Adele is a cocktail of three stories played out simultaneously in three cities on three continents. According to the co-authors, the brothers Rana and Ahmad Alyaseer, they were inspired to write the book after attending a concert of Adele in Verona, Rome. The stories focus on the lives of Elias in Rome, the couple Yaser and Mariam in Las Vegas, and Nadia in Amman.

Elias, a Moroccan living in Rome, had visited Marrakesh and fallen in love with a girl called Malika. For inexplicable reasons, he defaulted on his vow to return to Rome with her. For eight years he aches and longs for her. A fortuneteller stops him one day to talk to him about Malika. She reveals to him the identity of an unlikely jealous rival who had cast a spell on him to forsake Malika. She urges him to return to Marrakesh to confront his nemesis, and to be exorcised of the spell. How does Elias overcome his doubts and fears to embark on such a journey to claim his princess charming?

In Las Vegas, Yaser and Mariam are both surgeons who dated at the workplace and got married. However, their love for each either quickly evaporates, leading them to consult a marriage counselor in an attempt to rekindle the spark. As simple as the counselor’s prescription is, will they be able to recall and agree on just one moment of mutual affection for the next counseling session?

And in Jordan, Nadia has liberated herself from the control of an abusive husband. However, her closest friend, Lara, is trapped in a similar abusive marriage situation, and yet she is unwilling to let go. Nadia is compelled to enter into the fray on behalf of her friend, at the same time as she battles her ex-husband over the care of their adolescent son.

The three stories, based on relationships, appear more real than fictional. They could be memoirs depicting the lives of any set of individuals. Another thread that weaves them together is the characters’ liking for Adele and her music. Each chapter bears the title of a song by Adele, and ends with the lyrics that happen to harmonize with the message.

My trip to Adele is what a book looks like at its best. It has drama, ebb and flow. The transition from one story to another is well handled. The flashback feature is aptly used. The narration, in the first person tone, is done by the characters Elias, Yaser and Nadia respectively. I felt like they were talking to me directly, and I could visualize them all like movies in replay. They are laced with rich imagery, like this one: “…..torn up streets beneath the feet of passersby.”

I find the main characters to be well defined and likable. I especially like Nadia for her independence, tenacity and purpose. In a culture where the voice of women is stifled, she is still vocal about injustices against women. She asserts that: “No customs or laws or tribes could define me.” As a divorced mother, her relationship with her son comes out as highly affectionate and heartwarming. Elias, on his part, comes out as a rare specimen of male integrity when he refuses to take advantage of vulnerable Malika, but steadfastly cherishes her for years in absentia. Mariam, in the words of her husband, “ … was just like that rigid page of the holy book”. She dominates their marriage relationship until Yaser rebels.

It was a delight reading the book. I did not find any errors of structure or editing in it. Married couples, especially those with problems, could learn a lot from the book. Women from Arabic countries could also benefit from the book. Anybody else, just like me, would find it to be enjoyable. It is also the book for Adele’s fans. Without any drawbacks to affect its evaluation, I accord the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

[Heidi M Simone]

I love when authors write books that include characters that are well defined and likable. Characters are so important in any read. This book does sound like fun. Thank you for the great review and sharing your thoughts!

[Chrys Brobbey]

Hello Hsimone, thanks for taking a look at my review of My Trip to Adele. It is a really interesting book of a combination of 3 different stories, linked by the characters' common love for Adele's music. You may like to read and enjoy it.

[Jaime Lync]

I read this book as well and I too gave it a four-star rating. It is an awesome book and your review does a fine job at outlining its appeal. I just have one issue with your review, instead of saying the authors are brothers you should have said siblings because Rana is a woman. Great review otherwise.

[Chrys Brobbey]

Thank you for the correction, Jaime. I was mistaken to assume they were brothers.

[CrescentMoon]

I think stories like this are really cool where you have multiple characters that have such different lives but they all have one thing in common. Thanks for the great review!

[G Roce]

Different cities, different lives but all under one roof of relationship conflicts. The book ha drama and apears more real than fictional. Great review.

[Festus]

I was literally glued to the narrative. I must confess that Chrys Brobbey did a remarkable and excellent work. It is obvious that Alyaseer brothers endue Mariam with material empowerment and self assertion and afflict Nadia with rebellious disease to support their gender rights advocacy, held hostage by sixth century norms. It is also not surprising that the book attracts the highest rating considering its gorgeous story line and more importantly, the topicality of its subject matter. Indeed, this is a case of an outstanding writer, a world class reviewer.

[Heidi M Simone]

Hello Hsimone, thanks for taking a look at my review of My Trip to Adele. It is a really interesting book of a combination of 3 different stories, linked by the characters' common love for Adele's music. You may like to read and enjoy it.

I've heard mixed things about this book, but I'm planning to read it since it will next month's BOTM. So, we'll see! I'm curious to see which way I lean.

[Pink Zayesha]

I am not a fan of adele but im a lover of her songs .it seem so interisting.Different kind of view,characters and cities. It's so cool!Im lookong forward how the story flows im so excited!Different lives but in one story such a wonderful.

[Juliet Esther]

Mh this is a great review,i have read the book and gave it four stars, fell in love with some characters and hated some. I could literally relate to their situations. This is a book well written

-- 26 Jul 2017, 07:53 --

Mh this is a great review,i have read the book and gave it four stars, fell in love with some characters and hated some. I could literally relate to their situations. This is a book well written