3 out of 4 stars
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My Trip to Adele , inspired by one of Adele's concert, is a novel co-authored by the Alyaseer siblings. The book explores the commonality among the lives of different protagonists who are struggling against the twin axis of faith and fate, trying to figure out the fallouts in their respective relationships. It presents three stories at once- of a man set on a journey in search of his lover after years of separation; of a single mother understanding the meaning and importance of her freedom; and of a couple trying to work out their failed marriage through the means of reviving a significant memory.
The novel features multiple perspectives, which contribute to the depth and dimension of the three linear plots, running parallel to each other. The characters are set on a quest, seeking to fill their personal voids. The concert of Adele works like a string, binding their stories together. There is a unique sense of double-edge associated with each theme, whether it be the clash between faith and mythicism or love and sin.
The thing which I liked the most about the story was the successful incorporation of Adele's songs in every chapter. Her songs have been used to highlight the individual stories, serving as a backdrop against them, presenting them in a more vivid light. Another thing which managed to keep me hooked to the novel was the portrayal of women such as Nadia and Malika as strong and independent beings, ready to change their situations by defying patriarchy. I liked the depiction of an alternate reality which has been portrayed through the character of Yaser, who stands as a example to prove that even men can be submitted into silence.
Apart from all this, there is an element that I did not like in particular- the constant shift in perspectives. The multiple perspectives did help in traversing along various settings, but they made the storyline a bit confusing. I think switching from a narrator to another can easily put off people from continuing to read a story.
In terms of readability, the book proved to be a unique, yet a light read, including a comprehensible diction which can be easily understood by majority of the english reading community. I am giving this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It would have been a full score if the narratorial voice were omniscient instead. Other than this, the book is a good read and can be recommended to readers from all age groups.
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Trip to Adele
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