3 out of 4 stars
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“Often, people’s best accomplishments do not come from a conscious effort, but from the heart; when their brain may not even acknowledge their aim or their purpose.” Meliha Avdic.
Just Another Life by Meliha Avdic is a constellation of messages conveyed in a vessel of fiction. May, our protagonist, returns from London to her war-torn country after the war has ended. In an attempt to acclimatize to the changes that her country underwent in the three-years, during which she was pursuing her studies in London, and in her effort to blend in, she opts to become a regular at a local café, “River.” She engages in deep and thoughtful conversations with Benjamin, who works as a bartender there.
With a clear, smart, and concise writing style, the author voices on a myriad of vital issues like life, death, love, family, and procreation. She also gives her perspective on war and what evil man can do to his fellow brother. Additionally, she shares ideas and views on various topics, like politics, economics, feminism, philosophy, capitalism, socialism, and religion.
Using the first person narrative, May talks from the future as an old lady, looking back at a specific period in her life, where she recalls all the details. At first glance, May and her circle are just a mundane group of people, where in fact they come from all walks of life and cannot be more intriguing. Friendship and common circumstances unite these young people and draw them closer.
The author did a terrific job in bringing these characters to life and making them well-rounded, relatable and real. May, for one, is smart, well-spoken, mature, and independent in her own right. Her friends Alma and Leila are no less; these are strong and driven young women who make an impact.
I particularly raveled in the virtues of Benjamin’s character; who’s authentic, kind and reliable. The other characters, like Harris and Denis, add depth and humor to the dialogue. They all engage in conversations that zoom on several worldly and human matters. They try to find answers to questions, such as, what legacy and trace are we leaving for future generations? How will they look back on us?
I was enthralled by the dialogue, which occupied a considerable part of the book. It was rich, vivid, invigorating and thought-provoking. However, what makes this book truly interesting is having the plot designed around the messages; to serve and augment them.
Conversely, the main drawback was the numerous and sometimes distracting spelling and typographical errors. One particular example is the frequent use of “quite” instead of “quiet”. Unfortunately, the editorial issues forced me to deduct one star from the maximum score I wanted to give this book. A polishing round of proofreading to clear the mistakes will render it perfect. Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I rate Just Another Life by Meliha Avdic 3 out of 4 stars.
This book would appeal to those who appreciate having various perspectives on several crucial topics, in a witty and open-minded manner. It is also convenient for those seeking a book that stimulates contemplation and inner-reflection. However, it might not be the cup of tea for those who need a light read or those not looking for answers to big questions in a fictional setting. Personally, I’m looking forward to reading other books by the same author.
I leave you with a final sneak peek into Avdic’s mode of thinking, “As it turns out, when life comes to heaven’s door, the only thing that matters are the people. I can no longer remember the things I craved to own but never did, or places I longed to visit, but never did, or… The only thing I remember is people, and I’ve been blessed there; I’ve known some wonderful characters.”
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Just Another Life
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