4 out of 4 stars
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Did it occur to you that you might have lived several previous lives that were engrained in your subconscious and formed who you are today? How many strata do you have to shed off your soul to get to the core of your true essence?
All in the Head by Jean Francois Rogeon fits that bill. Binding psychological thrill and travel literature, the book takes us into a series of adventures, which span six continents and take place in different eras.
Using the third-person narrative, he introduces us to the world of Elise, our Australian protagonist, who had an unconventional life. She has psychic powers, which enable her to enter the mind of the person before her, reveal his inner thoughts, and manipulate him as she deems. The piercing gaze of her dark eyes has that effect on people, and it can make them restless.
In her adventures, Elise travels to Afghanistan, China, the Tibet, Paris, and Egypt among other places. What is she after in these travels? Are they all virtual? Where does the fine line between reality and dreams stop?
Elise is one of those characters that bewildered me through a good deal of the book. She’s a seductress at first glance, and a character you love and hate in equal measure. Her personality is woven from many strands, and it was not until she untangled the threads that I’ve understood what made her who she was. Few times love was the motive, but most times it was the insatiable appetite for control through the power of the mind and through seduction, what drove her to jump from one adventure to the other. The short-term sense of accomplishment was a driving force. She’s not all negatives as she might seem, as she was also close to nature and put efforts to preserve it.
Besides Elise, the book contained numerous characters that were all well-portrayed and brought to life. Each travel depicted a female protagonist, the life of whom impacted Elise’s life and formed a layer that pinned her down. The subjects of interest of these women had lively characters and were believable.
One character which stands out and is strongly present throughout Elise’s journey is Sam. He had a form of selfless love he bestowed on her, and he was supportive of her.
This book is exquisitely written, clear, engaging, and easy to read. Its narration is gripping and instills in you the sense of urgency to keep traveling with Elise until she’s able to take off all the layers and go back to the beginnings. What’s striking about All in the Head is that each story could stand alone in its own right.
I liked the vivid description of the diverse geography, the countries, the cultures, and the traditions. It reminded me of the epic Sindbad travels. I also liked the environmental awareness and the preservation of the ecosystems in the Baru people story.
Of particular interest was the organic coalescence of Elise’s real travels with her dreams and the flashes of memories of her past lovers.
The objectivity and the neutral approach of the author entranced me. He translates his knowledge of other places and cultures effortlessly. Through offering an insider’s look, he tackles several culturally sensitive issues without leading the reader. He rather gives you the liberty to draw your own conclusions.
That being said, I was frustrated was Sam’s helpless fixation on Elise. Additionally, I could sense a superficiality in most of her relationships. There is sufficient evidence of this throughout the text, but no spoilers are allowed!
All in the Head would appeal to those who love to dive into the depths of the human mind and psyche. I recommend it to those who want to satisfy their adventurous side by visiting various places and getting exposed to various traditions and different cultures. Readers seeking inspiration, a better knowledge of human nature, and the appreciation of the solace that arises from the loss and suffering will identify with this book. I can’t think of a set of readers who wouldn’t appreciate it or find something in it to identify with.
I found this book refreshing, inspiring, and horizon-broadening. I fell under the impression that it was professionally edited, as I only came across a handful of minor errors, like a missing letter or a missing preposition, which did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. Therefore, and without any shadow of a doubt, I rate All In The Head 4 out of 4 stars.
The author’s dedication at the beginning the book pretty much sums it all up, “To the restless and the wandering souls and to all the people who have inspired me, by being who they are.”
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All in the Head
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