Official Review: Divine Comedy by Sabri Bebawi

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fiction books or series that do not fit into one of the other categories. If the fiction book fits into one the other categories, please use that category instead.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
CataclysmicKnight
Posts: 912
Joined: 26 Jan 2015, 19:51
Favorite Book: Ready Player One
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 1693
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cataclysmicknight.html
Latest Review: Simple Man Simple Message by Mark Dobosz

Official Review: Divine Comedy by Sabri Bebawi

Post by CataclysmicKnight »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Divine Comedy" by Sabri Bebawi.]
Book Cover
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Divine Comedy by Sabri Bebawi gives us a look at the life of the author, Sabri Bebawi. Or perhaps it gives us a look at the real life of Alexandre Akpors, as the book often includes lines like "I, Alexandre Akpors...". Perhaps Alexandre Akpors is a pseudonym for the author, as the book states that "some names have been changed...the people, however, are real," or perhaps everything is entirely made up and none of the book is to be believed. This walking of the thin line between fiction and nonfiction is central to Divine Comedy, a book about the trials and tribulations of Alexandre Akpors, whoever that may be. Told in the first person and presumably as an autobiography, Alexandre discusses the myriad of health issues he faces and the slew of women he had relationships with over a 25 year period through recent times.

Alexandre's story begins in either 1991 or 1992 when he had extraordinary chest pain, jaw pain and general discomfort. He was taken to the hospital and then sent to the University of California, Irvine for heart surgery. Life isn't done, though; he's soon diagnosed with cancer, and following this terrible chain of events he discovers his wife had sex with her boss. She claims she was raped, so he calls the police who eventually reveal to him that she's been living with him for an unknown amount of time and she ends up asking for a divorce. Thus begins the cycle of pain that Alexandre faces for the next 25 years, one he refers to as a chess match against nature itself that he refuses to lose.

The loop of Alexandre's life typically follows these steps, although they aren't always in this order:
  • Alexandre brings up the name of a woman and how he knew or met her.
  • This new love interest's physical attributes are then described.
  • The good times Alexandre had with her are described, and maybe this time the divine comedy of life won't interfere and he can live a happy life with her.
  • The various ways Alexandre's growing list of medical issues affect his current love interest are listed.
  • For whatever reason, the two of them are forced to separate. The divine comedy of life has once again stepped in, but Alexandre won't ever give up on life or happiness and merely laughs it off.
At first it really felt like a coincidence that most of his stories happened in this way, but the more I paid attention the more I saw this semi-rigid format of storytelling. Despite this, some of the stories are a bit interesting, and there was even once or twice where I softly chuckled to myself. Comedy in the "haha" sense wasn't the author's intent, however; instead, the book is a comedy in the sense of a Shakespearean comedy or the original Divine Comedy by Dante - a story that starts off as a tragedy but ends in joy (or at least in less than death). In this manner the author truly succeeds; it's amazing how much Alexandre overcomes in his life with a smile on his face, laughing at fate and nature and whatever else may stand against him.

Mixed in with this flow the author frequently mentions how the story may appear to be fiction, but it was indeed his life and it's up to the reader to decide. At one point he even says "I sometimes do not know what is fiction and what is nonfiction. That is the main reason this book is being written as a work of fiction." This is the other primary theme of the book, that whether the book is fictional or not doesn't matter, and how do we know that life itself isn't fiction? While I'm more than happy to read a book that weaves an intriguing mystery of what's real and what isn't, simply being told "it doesn't matter if this is real or not, it's up to you" just isn't compelling.

Perhaps the hardest pill for many folks to swallow concerning Divine Comedy comes in the form of Alexandre's abrasive opinions. America, Donald Trump (America's current president) and religion are discussed negatively whenever the chance arises. While there are times people will agree with him on one or all of these topics, it seems the purpose of mentioning them at all is merely to bash them. Instead, it's merely stated that Donald Trump is a fascist and that Alexandre hates "religious Muslims". The worst example is with one of Alexandre's love interests. He was aware she was a "religious Muslim" when they got together, and he mentions that they were together for two years, but when it comes time to go their separate ways he writes, "Actually I remember the moment we said goodbye; it was when she said that Quran was the words of a god [sic] and is real. That, I do not accept, so I asked her to leave at once. Tolerance is one thing; stupidity is another." Again, these are things that some may agree with and others may not be offended by, but if any of these statements offends you it's best to leave the book alone.

All in all, this part-philosophy, part-romance, part-medical journey details 25 years of Alexandre's life. This includes 45 surgeries, over 180 medical procedures, numerous marriages and various additional relationships across the world. While I wasn't a fan of the book as a whole, it wasn't terrible, and for a person to come through all of the pain in this book with a smile on his face and a "bring it on" mentality is immensely inspiring. This mentality could be the focus of a motivational book of its own! It's also perfectly edited, and while the format was repetitive I never felt bored. My official rating is 2 out of 4 stars.

******
Divine Comedy
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like CataclysmicKnight's review? Post a comment saying so!
Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
User avatar
Quinto
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 Aug 2017, 01:14
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 704
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-quinto.html
Latest Review: The Longfellah's Son: An Almost True Irish Story by Michael Cassidy

Post by Quinto »

Thanks for an entertaining review albeit I didn't get why the work didn't score any higher. This is noting that it's down side is only that you were not a fan of the book as a whole. Quite simply, the work has nothing but positive and objective points in your review.
User avatar
Czarmaine AM
Posts: 204
Joined: 11 May 2017, 23:56
Bookshelf Size: 44
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-czarmaine-am.html
Latest Review: "Border Post 99" by Kedar Patankar

Post by Czarmaine AM »

The overall concept of this book is interesting. I like the idea of how the story can be considered a fiction and nonfiction at the same time. Thanks for expounding the plot reall well and giving us a clear overview of what to expect from this book.
"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
(The Old Astronomer to His Pupil by Sarah Williams)
Latest Review: "Border Post 99" by Kedar Patankar
User avatar
juliusotinyo
Posts: 762
Joined: 15 Jun 2017, 10:19
Bookshelf Size: 49
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-juliusotinyo.html
Latest Review: Marrying a Playboy Billionaire by H M Irwing

Post by juliusotinyo »

Sounds like a rather confusing story given your review. I'll probably not be going for it.
Cyril Stephano Lissu
Posts: 58
Joined: 02 Aug 2017, 00:22
Bookshelf Size: 5
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cyril-stephano-lissu.html
Latest Review: "Roadmap to the End of Days" by Daniel Friedmann

Post by Cyril Stephano Lissu »

I wonder why you didn't award the book 4 by 4 stars, based on your presented review. I haven't notice any flaw you blamed about the book. Any way, I guess your low rating is relaying on the fact that, you are not a fun of this book, of which, it could not affect the rating.
Latest Review: "Roadmap to the End of Days" by Daniel Friedmann
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

Rigid writing can be difficult to work through. I do think that some find it useful when going through tough times.

I do have to say that your reviews are always entertaining.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
User avatar
Reuben 92
Posts: 289
Joined: 26 Aug 2017, 06:49
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =6703">The Count of Monte Cristo</a>
Bookshelf Size: 827
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-reuben-92.html
Latest Review: "The Piketty Problem" by Garth Hallberg

Post by Reuben 92 »

This sounds like an odd mix of genres, ideas and events. You did a great job in describing it, and though the book doesn't appeal your reviewing style certainly does. Thank you!
"Every reader is, while he is reading, the reader of his own self. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument which he offers to the reader to enable him to discern what...he would perhaps never have perceived in himself."
Proust
Latest Review: "The Piketty Problem" by Garth Hallberg
Post Reply

Return to “Other Fiction Forum”