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The Syrian Virgin (2000)

by Zack Love(Favorite Author)

4.1 of 5 Votes: 6

languge

English

genre

review 1: The Syrian Virgin will probably be the most profound and emotive book I read this year. Big claims don’t you think considering that it’s only a few days into the New Year? Perhaps. But I stand by my claims. Mr. Zack Love has crafted a unique and beautiful story that makes me think of The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan. Why? Well it has to do with both stories taking on serious issues and writing them in such a way that is both hauntingly beautiful and poignant that even when you close the book, your mind continues to live inside the story. I kept thinking about it every single time I stopped… but stopping wasn’t easy. I couldn’t tear myself away from the book and devoured it almost immediately!The story follows Anissa (Inas in Arabic) and how s... morehe rebuilds her life after traumatic experiences. Through her, we learn about the worsening situation in Syria and her father’s plans to have her leave for America to study and escape the violence. The beginning had me crying first from joy when Anissa received a Syriac cross that was passed down from mother to daughter in her family. The moment her mother gave it to her, I was crying. It was such a beautiful moment. Then of course I was crying from another reason. This young girl, only sixteen, goes through some traumatic events to flee from Syria and escape to America. Those events then in turn haunt her and the only way she gets through her nightmares is the promise she made to her father. Her father's last words are what give her the strength to carry on:“And you can do far more for us from America than you can from here, where you’re just another defenceless Christian. So if you really want to help, Inas, then you’ll go to the very best school you can get into and earn the best grades you can. And, God willing, I’ll be able to send you more money by the time you use up what is waiting for you. But take loans if you have to. Work if you must. Whatever happens, don’t let anything limit you...”She is incredibly grown up and wise beyond her years. The struggles she faces makes you appreciate what you have and the good fortunes that we take for granted. My favourite quote has to be when Mr. Love refers to Theodore Herzl. The quote is, “If you will it, it is no dream.” Words to live by.But have no fear, it isn’t all serious. Mr. Love balances the issues in Syria with a romance. A love triangle to be exact. Two older men *sigh*. Michael Kassab, Syrian-American leader working to found the first Mideast Christian state. Black hair, deep brown eyes, five-o-clock shadow and fit and trim. And Julien Morales, Anissa’s Columbia University professor who runs a $20 billion hedge fund. Olive coloured skin, dark eyes, salt and pepper hair and slim physique.Poor Anissa is torn between these two attractive and powerful men. I adore reading the playful banter between Anissa and Julien. Despite the age gap, they get along so well. And they are able to have deep and meaningful conversations. And there is so much more to Julien than meets the eye. He is incredibly compassionate and I love how he takes care of this sparrow that he names Icarus.Another favourite quote comes from Julien, during a therapy session, after being asked if his acts of compassion and kindness restore his balance:“To some extent. Because I then remember that there is goodness in me and I’m acting on it. And that, in turn, reminds me that such goodness exists in others, and that the world can’t be that bad.”Mr. Love tackles contemporary issues with sensitivity and poise. He gives each of us food for thought. It gives us the opportunity to look long and hard at the events taking place in the world. His powerful writing is skilful and artistic which allows him to effortlessly blend religion, politics and romance into a seamless tale. Mr. Love should be extremely proud and pleased with this book. I’m only devastated that it has a cliffhanger! So many questions to answer and uncertainties but it mirrors life and how things can end without a resolution. The only thing that makes it better? Mr. Love must write another book! So I’m extremely excited for the second instalment and can’t wait to read it! But everyone should read The Syrian Virgin. It is a fantastic piece of writing.
review 2: At first I would say this book was different from what i would normally read and this sums up my feelings on it :- At start not my cuppa tea, after a few chapters My Glass of wine, by end My Bottle of Vintage Champagne, SummaryAfter the trauma of having to flee her home country, a young 17 year old Anissa is in a strange country with an Uncle she barely knows to add to her stresses she has vivid memories of what happened to her family who were murdered. After counselling she writes a diary (a log of information to help her cope) this is the story based on her diaries. Although I am not very keen on religious or any other "war" issues, this story grips you, it takes you on the long journey from dark hateful and vengeful incidents, to how a young woman copes with what happened, how she grows via her inner self, her uncle's inputs, her education and the friends she surrounds herself with. After reading the first few chapters I got totally engrossed in the book, so therefore would recommend this book to anyone even readers like myself who are not keen on the violences raised issues of religious wars and such like, because this book is true, vivid, exceptionally well written, a story that keeps you engrossed to the end and hoping that there is a follow up story less

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