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The Lebanese Troubles
Spring 1975. Richard and Claire Devine, newly arrived in Beirut on their first overseas posting, fall under the spell of madcap Lawrence Anderson, self-styled gossip-monger for the local newspaper, and his Palestinian girlfriend, Monique. When civil war breaks out, expat life goes on as normal. But as the country disintegrates, relationships flounder, loyalties are tested, certainties evaporate.
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First published March 30, 2010
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About the author
Alain Miles
2 books23 followersIt's an exciting time for creative writers. Just as the printing press gave birth to the novel, e-publishing opens the door to literary innovation - and we don't know where that'll take us yet.
I love printed books, and there will always be a place for them on my overflowing bookshelves. But my own work at present is experimental and designed for electronic publishing: it would need to be re-written - or at least re-cast - to work in print.
Through Goodreads, I hope to make contact with other readers and writers who share my interest in pushing past convention and formula writing to take literature to new frontiers.
As well as my published Kindle stories, I'm posting several times a week at www.alainmiles.com, writing about a real-life adventures after my partner, Lena, was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Like all adventures, there are challenges, obstacles, triumphs, disasters, and a sheer determination to see the journey through to the end - wherever the path may take us.
I love printed books, and there will always be a place for them on my overflowing bookshelves. But my own work at present is experimental and designed for electronic publishing: it would need to be re-written - or at least re-cast - to work in print.
Through Goodreads, I hope to make contact with other readers and writers who share my interest in pushing past convention and formula writing to take literature to new frontiers.
As well as my published Kindle stories, I'm posting several times a week at www.alainmiles.com, writing about a real-life adventures after my partner, Lena, was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Like all adventures, there are challenges, obstacles, triumphs, disasters, and a sheer determination to see the journey through to the end - wherever the path may take us.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2015
Gritty and authentic, The Lebanese Troubles lacks strong protagonist
Author Alain Miles gritty and authentic novel, The Lebanese Troubles, has one flaw, a weak and unlikable protagonist.
It’s the mid 1970’s and Richard has come to Beirut to teach English and has brought his wife, Claire, and baby along with him.
They become involved with a group of ex-pats and other westerners that include his colleague at the school, Dave; an American journalist, Lawrence; and his Palestinian girlfriend, Monique.
Shortly after they arrive civil war breaks out and things begin to deteriorate socially, professionally, and personally.
Lawrence suggests Richard and his family move in with him and Monique because their neighbourhood is safer. The two couples are attracted to each other’s partner and the close proximity only exacerbates the situation. It culminates with Richard walking out and moving in with Dave.
As the “troubles” worsen Richard’s teaching position is terminated, but the war appears to offer up other lucrative opportunities, which Dave is eager to introduce to his vulnerable and the naïve friend.
This book is well written and the description of Beirut is terrific, the setting becomes a character onto itself and a significant one. The description of war – mostly boring then suddenly deadly, sounds authentic as are the attitudes of the civilians – coping, waiting and hoping it will end when it only gets worse, much worse.
Characters are fully developed from the oily and smooth Amin, the impatient and practical Dave, the seductress Monique, the proper English Claire, and the adventurous larger than life Lawrence.
However, author Alain Miles, chooses to make his main character, Richard, unlikable. He has poor judgment in people and events. When given an opportunity he screws up. He’s like kid with no self-confidence always trying too hard and coming off looking stupid. The problem is he knows it and that makes him try harder, the end result he looks even stupider.
But mostly Richard does nothing. He never acts, he equivocates, vacillates, over thinks everything. He feels responsible for events he hasn’t influenced yet won’t take responsibility for his wife and his baby son. Does the character evolve over the course to the novel? Yes, but not for the better.
It’s hard to get behind a character so weak, indecisive and naive, but what kept me reading was the authentic description of civil war, the many unique and well-defined major and minor characters and the visceral, seemingly genuine portrayal of Beirut – it’s traits, qualities and even the philosophy of it’s people.
The ending feels inevitable and in that way is satisfactory.
Author Alain Miles gritty and authentic novel, The Lebanese Troubles, has one flaw, a weak and unlikable protagonist.
It’s the mid 1970’s and Richard has come to Beirut to teach English and has brought his wife, Claire, and baby along with him.
They become involved with a group of ex-pats and other westerners that include his colleague at the school, Dave; an American journalist, Lawrence; and his Palestinian girlfriend, Monique.
Shortly after they arrive civil war breaks out and things begin to deteriorate socially, professionally, and personally.
Lawrence suggests Richard and his family move in with him and Monique because their neighbourhood is safer. The two couples are attracted to each other’s partner and the close proximity only exacerbates the situation. It culminates with Richard walking out and moving in with Dave.
As the “troubles” worsen Richard’s teaching position is terminated, but the war appears to offer up other lucrative opportunities, which Dave is eager to introduce to his vulnerable and the naïve friend.
This book is well written and the description of Beirut is terrific, the setting becomes a character onto itself and a significant one. The description of war – mostly boring then suddenly deadly, sounds authentic as are the attitudes of the civilians – coping, waiting and hoping it will end when it only gets worse, much worse.
Characters are fully developed from the oily and smooth Amin, the impatient and practical Dave, the seductress Monique, the proper English Claire, and the adventurous larger than life Lawrence.
However, author Alain Miles, chooses to make his main character, Richard, unlikable. He has poor judgment in people and events. When given an opportunity he screws up. He’s like kid with no self-confidence always trying too hard and coming off looking stupid. The problem is he knows it and that makes him try harder, the end result he looks even stupider.
But mostly Richard does nothing. He never acts, he equivocates, vacillates, over thinks everything. He feels responsible for events he hasn’t influenced yet won’t take responsibility for his wife and his baby son. Does the character evolve over the course to the novel? Yes, but not for the better.
It’s hard to get behind a character so weak, indecisive and naive, but what kept me reading was the authentic description of civil war, the many unique and well-defined major and minor characters and the visceral, seemingly genuine portrayal of Beirut – it’s traits, qualities and even the philosophy of it’s people.
The ending feels inevitable and in that way is satisfactory.
July 22, 2011
I don’t usually read contemporary fiction unless it has some sort of supernatural twist to it, but from the first few pages I found that I wanted to read more. It was an unexpected pleasure!
Writing: 4.5/5
The writing was definitely my favourite part of the Lebanese Troubles. It was a visual experience; I felt like I was actually there, in Lebanon, facing all the dangers of civil war along with the characters. One thing I will note is that the dialogue does not use quotation marks, but dashes, which I believe is more of a French thing. There were no he saids or she saids–which you think could get confusing, but it doesn’t. The dialogue was so good that you could tell who was speaking by the way they were talking.
Plot: 3.5/5
I was much more impressed by the first half of the book than the second half. There was lots of tension, not only with the war, but sexual tension between the characters in the first half. In the second half, this tension seemed to subside and be replaced with a “man-discovering-who-he-is” story, which was still well written, but I didn’t find as interesting.
Characters: 4/5
Like I said before, the characters were well-developed and distinct. My favourite was Monique, the mysterious cock-tease who was the source of most of the sexual tension. I won’t give anything away, but I was unhappy with what happens to her. The protagonist, Richard, annoyed me at times, especially for the second half of the book. Perhaps this was intentional, as he does go through a rough time.
Overall Impression: 4/5
Definitely worth a read, especially if you like fiction set in the Middle East. The characters are great, and the dialogue is refreshing. The author is also a prolific blogger, and I featured him on the Woulds & Shoulds Self-Publishing Success Interview Series.
Writing: 4.5/5
The writing was definitely my favourite part of the Lebanese Troubles. It was a visual experience; I felt like I was actually there, in Lebanon, facing all the dangers of civil war along with the characters. One thing I will note is that the dialogue does not use quotation marks, but dashes, which I believe is more of a French thing. There were no he saids or she saids–which you think could get confusing, but it doesn’t. The dialogue was so good that you could tell who was speaking by the way they were talking.
Plot: 3.5/5
I was much more impressed by the first half of the book than the second half. There was lots of tension, not only with the war, but sexual tension between the characters in the first half. In the second half, this tension seemed to subside and be replaced with a “man-discovering-who-he-is” story, which was still well written, but I didn’t find as interesting.
Characters: 4/5
Like I said before, the characters were well-developed and distinct. My favourite was Monique, the mysterious cock-tease who was the source of most of the sexual tension. I won’t give anything away, but I was unhappy with what happens to her. The protagonist, Richard, annoyed me at times, especially for the second half of the book. Perhaps this was intentional, as he does go through a rough time.
Overall Impression: 4/5
Definitely worth a read, especially if you like fiction set in the Middle East. The characters are great, and the dialogue is refreshing. The author is also a prolific blogger, and I featured him on the Woulds & Shoulds Self-Publishing Success Interview Series.
August 3, 2011
The Lebanese Troubles. Impressive work! Poor Richard and Clare had troubles, indeed. I must say the author Alain Miles pulled no punches and did not give in to a shred of sentimentality. I've never been to Beirut, but I remember the coverage of the seemingly endless civil war there in the late 70s and 80s, the destruction of the city, the famous Green Line. From the perspective of an outsider observer, Miles captured some of the hopelessness and violence of that conflict and displayed it in the environment of the city and its citizens but also in the tortured psyche of Richard. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews