6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Total Romantic Recall -- Superb!, September 17, 2002
This review is from: Amirosian Nights (Paperback)
D.R. Ransdell's vivid, musical, and highly romantic "Amirosian Nights" illustrates exceedingly well the special ability a well-written novel has to make one feel like she or he has spent several weeks in a heretofore unfamiliar place--seeing new sights, hearing new sounds, having adventures... and learning a thing or two about life and oneself in the process.
That the novel is written in the first person gives an even greater feeling of "Total Recall," as one sees and hears not only the heroine's vivid observations of the exotic locations, but also her innermost thoughts and feelings. One becomes her, and it is fascinating to inhabit the mind of an intelligent, talented woman with such keen observational skills and romantic outlook.
The story centers around Rachel, a Tucson music teacher and part-time musician in a mariachi (Mexican folk music) group, who takes her summer vacation on the Greek island of Amiros, with it's sunny beaches, colorful cafés and tavernas, fun Greek musical groups--and attractive musicians.
When the opportunity arises for Rachel to stay several extra weeks as a substitute musician in a group headed by the bouzouki player she is highly attracted to, Rachel cannot resist--despite the fact that the musician, Vangellis, is reportedly married to a thus-far unseen wife.
Each scene in the novel is very well written, full of authentic details, giving a great "you are there" quality. One feels like she or he really has been to Amiros, and lived though Rachel's experiences, while learning about mariachi and Greek music, as well as the Greek language, culture, geography and history.
For female readers being in Rachel's mind will no doubt be quite enthralling--hearing her thoughts, comparing her perceptions and opinions to their own. For the male reader, however, it is an even greater, more awesome out-of-body adventure, just as intense (in a different way) as the most action-packed movie or intriguing mystery.
Thus in some ways men, even more so than women, should grab this book and devour it ASAP--not only for the virtual-reality tour of the exotic locals and people, but as important for the chance to get inside the mind of an intelligent, talented woman and see the world through her. (Even if at times it feels a bit weird, given that Rachel often shares her thoughts regarding Vangellis' attractiveness in no uncertain terms.)
The story does, however, rely a bit too much on coincidence. The way Rachel gets the musical gig (permitting her to stay in Amiros and spend time with Vangellis) comes off a bit contrived, momentarily causing a brief interruption in one's willing suspension of disbelief. But the moment quickly passes, so engrossing are the worlds of Amiros and Rachel's feelings.
The story also occasionally lacks drama, as Rachel sometimes goes to a new location primarily just for a change of scenery, to help her think. These scenes come across more like excerpts from a PBS "Travels in Europe" documentary rather than as vital parts of the story. Still, the locations are so fascinating one really doesn't mind the detour, and is in fact grateful Rachel didn't simply skip over them with a brief mention, even though the details aren't germane to the story.
Though there is a certain amount of tension in whether or not she will be able to keep the gig long enough to bring her relationship with Vangellis to fruition (given that various forces, mostly beyond her control, have the potential to ruin it), there isn't a strong plot. The main story essentially consists of discovering what kind of relationship, if any, Rachel is going to have with Vangellis.
Though one is grateful Ransdell resisted the temptation to artificially graft onto the story some kind of superficial mystery or detective plot, one still can't help but wonder if some other major story line, growing organically out of the existing characters and locales, might have been possible.
Though presumably women will love Rachel's constant ruminations, in her own mind and with her friends, over the meaning of every little gesture and word exchanged with Vangellis, men might find it a bit tedious. And the way every time Rachel sees Vangellis she describes in detail what he is wearing eventually becomes, to the male reader, almost comic, though presumably most female readers would only notice such descriptions if they were omitted.
(And to this [male] reader Vangellis doesn't come across as quite the wonderful guy Rachel thinks he is. Still, listening to Rachel's thoughts does give valuable insights into the way women look at men.)
The ending, more hopeful than happy, while consistent with what has come before and the unfortunate realities of the situation, still doesn't completely satisfy.
Although the love-making scenes are romantic, not graphic, it is still difficult to recommend this book for teenagers, due to the "frank depiction" of virtually everyone's (including Rachel's) constant smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and casual attitude toward extra-marital affairs (the honor code being, apparently, that it's okay so long as one isn't friends with the wife).
(Not to mention the truly heroic consumption of caffeine, mostly in the form of iced coffee.)
Not that this isn't an accurate portrayal of the way many people live--in Amiros and just about everywhere else--it's just that in this romantic setting the novel might be seen by the impressionable as an endorsement of such behavior. Those whose value systems are still forming might see, especially in this context, a heavy dependence on chemicals as part of the romance, rather than as a way people often deal with (or fail to deal with) their deepest fears and the often unpleasant realities of life.
Despite the minor flaws, however, this book has a tremendous amount to offer any adult, female or male, and it is strongly recommended. And you may find, as this virtual-adventurer did, that once you start the journey you can't stop until it's over--no matter how late the hour gets.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
