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Differential Equations
This evocative, moving, and gorgeously detailed novel is the story of Alex Soberano, a contemporary man in crisis. A tremendously successful New York businessman, Alex finds it difficult to embrace joy and accept love. When his life threatens to boil over, he escapes for a brief respite on the West Coast. What waits for him there is something he never could have imagined.
Intertwined with Alex’s story are the stories of three people from different times and places whose lives affect him in surprising
• A woman from the South American city of Anhelo in 1928 that everyone knows as "Vidente." For decades, Vidente, has been one of Anhelo's most celebrated citizens because she has the ability to read colors that speak of a person's fate. However, during one such reading, she sees her own future – a future that includes her imminent death.
• A man named Khaled who left his home in Bethlehem in 1920 to seek fortune in the South American town of Joya de la Costa. He has barely begun to gain a foothold when he learns that the wife and three children he left behind have been murdered. When a magical woman enters his life, he believes that destiny has smiled on him. However, destiny has only just begun to deal with Khaled.
• A nineteen-year-old student named Dro who flies from the South American country of Legado to Boston in 1985 and immediately walks onto the campus of MIT expecting instant admission. Dro's skills at mastering complex, ever-changing differential equations intrigues the associate admissions director. However, the person he intrigues the most is the celebrated US ambassador from his country, and his relationship with her will define his life.
How the stories of these four people merge is the central mystery of this arresting work of imagination. DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS is a story that will sweep you up in its magic, enrich you with its wisdom, and compel you with its deep humanity.
Intertwined with Alex’s story are the stories of three people from different times and places whose lives affect him in surprising
• A woman from the South American city of Anhelo in 1928 that everyone knows as "Vidente." For decades, Vidente, has been one of Anhelo's most celebrated citizens because she has the ability to read colors that speak of a person's fate. However, during one such reading, she sees her own future – a future that includes her imminent death.
• A man named Khaled who left his home in Bethlehem in 1920 to seek fortune in the South American town of Joya de la Costa. He has barely begun to gain a foothold when he learns that the wife and three children he left behind have been murdered. When a magical woman enters his life, he believes that destiny has smiled on him. However, destiny has only just begun to deal with Khaled.
• A nineteen-year-old student named Dro who flies from the South American country of Legado to Boston in 1985 and immediately walks onto the campus of MIT expecting instant admission. Dro's skills at mastering complex, ever-changing differential equations intrigues the associate admissions director. However, the person he intrigues the most is the celebrated US ambassador from his country, and his relationship with her will define his life.
How the stories of these four people merge is the central mystery of this arresting work of imagination. DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS is a story that will sweep you up in its magic, enrich you with its wisdom, and compel you with its deep humanity.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2012
About the author
Julian Iragorri
4 books1 followerDedicated to art, Julian Iragorri spent 15 years organizing charitable events to benefit the Frick Collection, and created several special fundraisers for the museum in New York City. Julian Iragorri’s efforts ensured that the museum maintained its international acclaim as one of the leading institutions for Old Master paintings and various European decorative arts and sculptures.
Now dedicating his time to writing, Julian Iragorri released his first novel, Differential Equations, in 2012. The book, which he completed with Lou Aronica, tells the tale of Alex Soberano, a very successful and troubled New York businessman. Finding it difficult to embrace joy or love, he decides to look for answers on the West Coast, where he crosses paths with three other key characters.
Now dedicating his time to writing, Julian Iragorri released his first novel, Differential Equations, in 2012. The book, which he completed with Lou Aronica, tells the tale of Alex Soberano, a very successful and troubled New York businessman. Finding it difficult to embrace joy or love, he decides to look for answers on the West Coast, where he crosses paths with three other key characters.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 28, 2012
This book managed to surprise me in a lot of ways. In a good way. You have four people, four plots, for very different perspectives and no idea how or why they're connected.
Though there are four different plots, I didn't get confused about who was doing what and with whom and why. You know how it happens sometimes, that you get more than one plot and it's not very clear when the story changes and when the perspective shifts and you are left wondering "What the hell am I reading?". I didn't feel that with Differential Equations. And I didn't feel that the stories where lacking some details, or that they were thin. Even though you get four stories, they are so well written and so full of details, I felt like I was reading four books at the same time.
There are a lot of surprises. Each and every time I managed to think of a way these four people were connected, the following chapter would always prove me wrong. I think that's the one thing I loved most about this book, the fact that I wasn't able to foresee anything. There might have been little things that made sense to happen in a certain way, but the important things were a mystery to me until the very end of the book.
There were several scenes that made me very sad in this book. I guess they were a sort of lesson for the main characters, but I still felt incredibly sad for them. That's another amazing thing about this book, the fact that I felt so connected with the characters. And it was one of those books where you can't stop reading.
It was an amazing read and I think you should give it a try.
Though there are four different plots, I didn't get confused about who was doing what and with whom and why. You know how it happens sometimes, that you get more than one plot and it's not very clear when the story changes and when the perspective shifts and you are left wondering "What the hell am I reading?". I didn't feel that with Differential Equations. And I didn't feel that the stories where lacking some details, or that they were thin. Even though you get four stories, they are so well written and so full of details, I felt like I was reading four books at the same time.
There are a lot of surprises. Each and every time I managed to think of a way these four people were connected, the following chapter would always prove me wrong. I think that's the one thing I loved most about this book, the fact that I wasn't able to foresee anything. There might have been little things that made sense to happen in a certain way, but the important things were a mystery to me until the very end of the book.
There were several scenes that made me very sad in this book. I guess they were a sort of lesson for the main characters, but I still felt incredibly sad for them. That's another amazing thing about this book, the fact that I felt so connected with the characters. And it was one of those books where you can't stop reading.
It was an amazing read and I think you should give it a try.
October 27, 2013
When I first received the copy of Differential Equations, I was intrigued right off the bat with just the book cover. Here is a man at the edge of a mountain looking out over New York. His appearance at first thought is desperation. Or is it a breath of fresh air with his arms outstretched.
Getting into the book the reader is introduced to Alex, a 21st century, hard core business man who has made his mark not only from his great intelligence but his uncanny ability to read people. The story opens just as he has backed out on a business deal, argued with an ex-wife, has disappointed a current girlfriend and decides to go visit an ashram. This is all just in a few short pages.
As you continue to read on in chapters you are introduced to three other people in different time periods.
There is Vidente, a mysterious but well respected woman of her community who can read people through visualization of color. She learns of a trip that she must take that will alter her existences forever.
Then there is Khaled, a man who leaves his country for a better life for his family. He is hard working and establishes his own. However, tragedy seems to befall him but life smiles on him too.
Finally, there is Dro. A young man who arrives in the U.S. in order to start his life as a student at M.I.T. He is extremely intelligent in mathematics and economics. His story is complex and at times heart breaking but his tenacity and hard work always move him forward. Or does it?
At first when I started reading, Differential Equations I was confused as to what these other characters in years gone by had to do anything with Alex. It really made absolutely no sense but I kept reading!
The way the stories flowed, I could not help but get immersed in these characters. As I went on, I came to understand exactly what they had to do with each other. That very immersion happens when Alex goes to the ashram. What he thinks is going to be just a relaxing time, turns out to be oh so much more. For me, it was a mind bender.
I wish that I could indulge this book to you, my readers, but to do so, would give away the interesting plots and intrigue this book brings.
If you want to read an excellent fictional book, then this one is the one for you. It was for me as I read it in one day.
This book is 5 stars, hands down!
~Naila Moon
Disclosure: I was give a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. This review was also part of the Providence Book Promotions Tour.
Getting into the book the reader is introduced to Alex, a 21st century, hard core business man who has made his mark not only from his great intelligence but his uncanny ability to read people. The story opens just as he has backed out on a business deal, argued with an ex-wife, has disappointed a current girlfriend and decides to go visit an ashram. This is all just in a few short pages.
As you continue to read on in chapters you are introduced to three other people in different time periods.
There is Vidente, a mysterious but well respected woman of her community who can read people through visualization of color. She learns of a trip that she must take that will alter her existences forever.
Then there is Khaled, a man who leaves his country for a better life for his family. He is hard working and establishes his own. However, tragedy seems to befall him but life smiles on him too.
Finally, there is Dro. A young man who arrives in the U.S. in order to start his life as a student at M.I.T. He is extremely intelligent in mathematics and economics. His story is complex and at times heart breaking but his tenacity and hard work always move him forward. Or does it?
At first when I started reading, Differential Equations I was confused as to what these other characters in years gone by had to do anything with Alex. It really made absolutely no sense but I kept reading!
The way the stories flowed, I could not help but get immersed in these characters. As I went on, I came to understand exactly what they had to do with each other. That very immersion happens when Alex goes to the ashram. What he thinks is going to be just a relaxing time, turns out to be oh so much more. For me, it was a mind bender.
I wish that I could indulge this book to you, my readers, but to do so, would give away the interesting plots and intrigue this book brings.
If you want to read an excellent fictional book, then this one is the one for you. It was for me as I read it in one day.
This book is 5 stars, hands down!
~Naila Moon
Disclosure: I was give a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. This review was also part of the Providence Book Promotions Tour.
April 18, 2014
I love a good book that can sweep me away to far off places. To times that I would never be able to go to otherwise. So when I decided to read Differential Equations, I was hoping for a book that would do just that. I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Each character in this story is connected. However, the way in which they are all connected is gradually revealed throughout the entirety of the story. The reader is given small facts that are similar in each story, enough to make one speculate, and ultimately are not really told the true connection between them all until almost the very end. But what a beautiful end it is.
There is a review printed on the back of the book that states, "Like eating a fresh lime sorbet with saltwater in your (sex-tousled) hair." - Smallgood Hearth
And what an accurate description. I mean, I don't even have to use my own words for this review. I could just quote that, and it would sum my feelings up in one glorious sentence. This book refreshed my mind. It left me feeling as if I had just come out of a long meditation period, and my problems were gone with the turn of the last page.
This novel is a phenomenal read. It is a book that I could never get tired of reading. This wonderful book, with its natural beauty, has got to be one of the best I have read this entire year.
Each character in this story is connected. However, the way in which they are all connected is gradually revealed throughout the entirety of the story. The reader is given small facts that are similar in each story, enough to make one speculate, and ultimately are not really told the true connection between them all until almost the very end. But what a beautiful end it is.
There is a review printed on the back of the book that states, "Like eating a fresh lime sorbet with saltwater in your (sex-tousled) hair." - Smallgood Hearth
And what an accurate description. I mean, I don't even have to use my own words for this review. I could just quote that, and it would sum my feelings up in one glorious sentence. This book refreshed my mind. It left me feeling as if I had just come out of a long meditation period, and my problems were gone with the turn of the last page.
This novel is a phenomenal read. It is a book that I could never get tired of reading. This wonderful book, with its natural beauty, has got to be one of the best I have read this entire year.
January 22, 2014
I had trouble getting into this book. Don’t get me wrong it is skilfully written, it’s just the stories of four different characters in one book seemed too disjointed to me, Not until very late in the book it kind of makes sense, but by then I already was struggling to read on. Never once the book really captured my full attention.
So even if the writing is solid, scenes very well set and characters alive, and fully formed, I couldn’t get into it and was glad when I finally finished reading the book.
Maybe if there had been more, or better foreshadowing to certain interlinking elements between the separate stories I would have been captured instead of distracted. Just when I was well into Alex’s story, Dro, Vidente, or Khaled took me out of it because they just don’t mesh in the beginning and it just takes too long to get to the point when it does makes sense.
The four stories flow slow and are more focussed on character than actions, which, to me, made it too slow to make me want to keep reading. That and the fact that for a long time it seems as if you are actually reading four books at once that have nothing to do with each other that put me off, and no amount of craftsmanship can make up for the lack of a compelling story.
So even if the writing is solid, scenes very well set and characters alive, and fully formed, I couldn’t get into it and was glad when I finally finished reading the book.
Maybe if there had been more, or better foreshadowing to certain interlinking elements between the separate stories I would have been captured instead of distracted. Just when I was well into Alex’s story, Dro, Vidente, or Khaled took me out of it because they just don’t mesh in the beginning and it just takes too long to get to the point when it does makes sense.
The four stories flow slow and are more focussed on character than actions, which, to me, made it too slow to make me want to keep reading. That and the fact that for a long time it seems as if you are actually reading four books at once that have nothing to do with each other that put me off, and no amount of craftsmanship can make up for the lack of a compelling story.
November 29, 2013
The authors have done a great job in character building as each character comes to life and the reader gets immersed in their individual lives. The different worlds and times each of them live in is described beautifully, really painting the background picture.
However, the reader is also left wondering what these stories and people have in common. Differential equations indeed! So many unknown factors are in the equation which are at first very unclear. When all characters do come together the various story lines fall into place quite unexpectedly and rather beautifully.
"When reason fails to make a complete argument, faith needs to take the lead."
Alex learns more than he ever expected to as the differentials in his life equation become very clear to him when he steps out in faith.
A very interesting story not in the least because of the way it is put together, even though the reader might need some patience to get to the point where it comes together, the different story lines in itself are intriguing enough to keep going. Loved it!
However, the reader is also left wondering what these stories and people have in common. Differential equations indeed! So many unknown factors are in the equation which are at first very unclear. When all characters do come together the various story lines fall into place quite unexpectedly and rather beautifully.
"When reason fails to make a complete argument, faith needs to take the lead."
Alex learns more than he ever expected to as the differentials in his life equation become very clear to him when he steps out in faith.
A very interesting story not in the least because of the way it is put together, even though the reader might need some patience to get to the point where it comes together, the different story lines in itself are intriguing enough to keep going. Loved it!
February 3, 2015
An interesting tale of Alex Soberano, a successful business owner, suddenly feeling that something is off kilter in his life. At the same time we meet Khaled, Vidente, and Dro--three people from 3 different times and places who are ultimately connected to Alex. The story is told through snippets of each person's life, going back and forth between the four until they come together at the end of the book. I actually found the bouncing back and forth a bit frustrating at the beginning, it was a little too much and I felt I wasn't getting enough of any one story. But by the end of the book, they all came together and it seemed to work. I'm not sure if there would have been a better way to tell all the stories (which are all necessary for the final message/event). There was also a surprising *magical* aspect to the book at the end that I thought was going to be more spiritual and/or scientific but it worked with the story.
November 12, 2013
This is a sweet and gentle story about family and love and being at peace with yourself.
It starts with 4 different stories, spanning over a century. The connections between the stories are not obvious right away, but they do tie together in the end in a satisfying way.
This story moves slowly, and yet is still very entertaining to read. The focus is not on action or plot, but is more about the characters and their personal growth. This is a welcome change from the books I’ve been reading lately.
Overall, I deeply appreciated the quietness of the story. It is a very relaxing read that took me by surprise. The characters were richly developed, and a treat to read about. There is a mystical/New Age feel to some of the content, but it is fun and enjoyable to read.
It starts with 4 different stories, spanning over a century. The connections between the stories are not obvious right away, but they do tie together in the end in a satisfying way.
This story moves slowly, and yet is still very entertaining to read. The focus is not on action or plot, but is more about the characters and their personal growth. This is a welcome change from the books I’ve been reading lately.
Overall, I deeply appreciated the quietness of the story. It is a very relaxing read that took me by surprise. The characters were richly developed, and a treat to read about. There is a mystical/New Age feel to some of the content, but it is fun and enjoyable to read.
June 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the settings, and the way the metaphysical elements played out in the various places and times. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't as much math in the plot as the title and Dro's story suggested there might be. Also at times the writing felt a bit stiff, and the dialog lacked subtlety (too many complete sentences, didn't seem like the way people would really talk), but all in all I still liked it a lot.
August 26, 2013
This book was so good. Four different people from various places and times, but they are all connected. It is a fascinating book.
You will not be disappointed.
You will not be disappointed.
Want to Read
April 4, 2014Another novel on my list simply for the title...
March 26, 2016
Interesting premise with some magical realism. Relatively thin.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews