Reviews

The Illusion of Return, by Samir El-Youssef

giovannigf's review

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informative reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aileenginny's review

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5.0

The rhetoric was a bit repetitive, but each new repetition brought new facts and ideas to the story. It was really well written so that only at the very last page you had all the information. I liked the writing style a lot and plan to read it again.

nathansnook's review

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3.0

The Illusion of Return (2007) by Samir El-Youssef is the tale of returning back to lost roots he once escaped from with a friend fifteen years later. Politics aside, it’s something we often do, revisit something we thought we were far removed from, but, in fact, are closely related to it. It had its moments, but often times, there were parts that were regurgitated as if I had forgotten parts of the plots or certain details of the characters. That dulled the book out. Overall, a slim read on the tremors of Lebanon.
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