The Other Half of My Soul

by Bahia Abrams

Consistently receiving 5-star ratings, The Other Half of My Soul ; is a gripping story about an American-born Syrian Jew from Brooklyn and a Syrian-born Shi-ite Muslim from Aleppo. The book raises profound questions about personal choices, commitments, responsibility, and the most basic truths of the human race.
Rayna is born into wealth and privilege. She is raised in a community steeped in orthodox Judaism and Syrian culture. Rebelling against an unwritten law dictating that a female does not leave her family home until marrying a man approved by her parents, Rayna breaks away and attends the University of Maryland to study journalism.
Rami is a clever and discerning eighteen year old, part of the underprivileged Shi-ite minority in his country. His family barely ekes out a living at their pastry stand in the Aleppo Souk. Al-Shahid, the Syrian-backed terrorist group, offers Rami a scholarship to study in America at the University of Maryland. He dares not refuse.
Rami and Rayna meet at college. Their strong Syrian culture quickly bonds them and the forbidden happens. They fall in love. Grappling for survival, they collide with conflicts and hatreds that divide Muslim and Jew, endure intolerance and harsh backlash from their families, and suffer under the control of an irrational terrorist leader.
Drawn from life experiences, historical events, current happenings, and actual places, The Other Half of My Soul ; journeys across four continents, uncovering the barbaric behavior of humanity. In the end, the book bears a powerful message about unconditional love and the ability to defeat the hateful dictates of ideology.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Jewish, Book Club

403 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting idea, very badly executed. Could have been saved by a decent editor. There were too many implausible plot developments, stilted dialogue, and convenient windfalls of cash. The most preposterous part is when Rayna, an 18-year-old unpaid intern at a weekly New York newsmagazine, starts writing articles and almost overnight wins journalism awards, causing "circulation to soar" at the international newsweekly. The magazine offers her a free apartment in Manhattan to "entice her" to keep writing for them. As a former journalist, I can assure you this is laughable. You can't win writing awards within one summer. Deadlines are usually towards end of calendar year, with winners announced in spring. The idea of a single intern causing a global magazine to "soar in circulation" was also laughable. The romance between the Jewish Princess and the Muslim student was hard enough to support, let alone adding in all these unbelievable details which were frankly unnecessary. If she had just stuck to the romance, which was okay, the family scenes on both sides, which rang true, and the politics of Syria, which were interesting, the books could have been salvaged. But as it is now, it is nearly unreadable. I had to force myself to the end, chuckling every time $50,000 would conveniently fall into Rayna's lap. I don't want to give away the end, but it winds up in a ludicrous coincidence that is perhaps the most unbelievable part of the the entire book.

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely take the time to review books beyond the star rating, however I feel the need to share how awful this book is. I am only halfway through, and will finish it just because I am compelled to read every book I start, but this is extremely poorly written. It is also completely unrealistic. By far, the worst book I've read in a long time.

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept of this book - a relationship between a Jew, raised in an observant family, and a Muslim , also from a very observant Shi'ite Syrian family is excellent. However, the plot-line is not developed. Instead of leading me, the reader, through the story, and keeping me tantalised and wondering what is going to happen as the story evolves everything simply happens and I was left wondering - how did the story get here? For example, Ravi and Rayna travel to South America and it is not clear why he chooses to take her there on holiday when he knows of the dangers that await him in that location. Their relationship moves much too quickly - they meet, work together on an assignment and instantly they are a couple. They are 18 years old and yet they handle situations that would be beyond the scope of young adults with life experience. Ravi comes from a poor unsophisticated family in Syria and yet he has worldly abilities and negotiating skills and earns the trust of his professor instantly. He is also able to keep his masters (who have paid for his education in order to utilise him to further their ends) under his control - farfetched to say the least. Rayna has led the sheltered existence of a Jewish Princess from a wealthy family but enters college and behaves lie a mature world-wise adult. This book is a great let down.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this 400 page book in just 3 days and I must say that it was an engaging page-turner of a read. The plot dealt with an orthodox Jewish 18 year old woman who falls in love with an 18 year old Islamic Muslim Shi'ite who finds himself involved with a fanatical group of terrorists. The taboo of their relationship causes a great many problems from their own families disowning them to society's barbaric behavior towards the couple. Raynah and Rami hold fast to their values and the story continues to unfold. The reason for just 3 stars-- the novel was just too perfect and too pat. The coincidences were unbelievable and the story consistently became more and more incredulous as it went on.

[Cellerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a very realistic scenerio of the world we live in today with the cross-cultural love affairs, family ties, & cultural similarities & differences, as well as the good and evil in our world.
I am very picky when it comes to finishing a book and this one kept my attention from the first page to the last.

[Caryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing silly read. Lack of sophistication in the plot

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am only half way through and wondering if I will push on to finish it. The writing is very poor, with lots of purple prose and flowery descriptions. The plot is so far fetched - does anyone stop to think than the main characters are only 18! So improbable that they have been given the tasks they have been given. The premise is a good one. It could have been written so much better and more realistically. Disappointing.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ridiculous plot lines. Annoying characters. Way too easy for them to fall in love and throw off everything they've grown with and their relationships with their families. Gigantic plot holes. Oh, and way too long. I can't believe I finished the book, I did skim most of the last 50% of it though but still even then couldn't wait for it to be over.

[Irv · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Very strained narrative that matched the remarkably strained and stilted dialogue. If I wasn't reading this for a book club, I would have stopped reading this almost as soon as I'd started.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a little unbelievable, it was a good read. I actually couldn't put it down! Some of the details were a real reach and made the book hard to believe....

[Carol Hatch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written with a contrived and unconvincing plot.

[Cristina Guarino · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first, I didn't know what to expect. Honestly, this isn't my typical read. When my book club recommended it, I was excited to try something new. Surprisingly, I didn't like it. Really, not because I didn't like the concept. But truly, because it was poorly written. Initially, I was inclined to be easy on it. Soon after, I wanted to chuck Stephen King's On Writing at the author. Immediately, I couldn't wait for it to be over. Quickly, I moved onto a much better read. Obviously, I did intend to write this entire paragraph with the same sentence structure.

Because that's EXACTLY WHAT BAHIA ABRAMS DOES. For the WHOLE BOOK, more or less. It's absolutely painful to read.

I really hate to be so harsh, especially since I'd never want to see a review like this for one of my own books, but how did this book get published? Or more importantly, how does its editor have a job!? I never thought I'd read a book that made me want to return to Fifty Shades and Twilight. The writing of E.L. James and Stephenie Meyer far surpass that of Abrams, and as most of us (hopefully) know, that's saying something.

I had to read this novel for the book club at my job, and I’m glad I got it as an e-book and paid $4 as opposed to buying the $18 hardcover. My vote was on Elizabeth's Strout's The Burgess Boys, which I'll probably read on my own soon. All I know is, If it weren’t for my determination to remain active in the book club, I would have dropped The Other Half of my Soul five pages in.

I’m sorry, I still feel bad, but I can't help it. I very rarely leave such aggravated reviews. I’m not even so much frustrated with the author as I am with her editor and the publishing industry as a whole.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rayna is a sheltered Orthodox Syrian Jew raised in America, who yearns for more in her life than a husband, children and home to take care of. She wants an education and a career. Rami is a Syrian Shi'ite Muslim born and raised in Syria. The terrorist group Al Shahide sends him to college in America and demand he be a part of their plans to bring down all the evil American and Jewish infidels. Rayna and Rami meet at college and fall madly in love. But the terrorist group that sent Rami to college creates danger in their lives and their families reject the two young lovers just when they need their families the most. When I first learned about this book I thought it sounded like it would be wonderful. It ddi not live up to its potential even a little bit. While I do believe that a Fundamentalist Muslim boy and an Orthodox Jewish girl could fall in love (its possible) these two characters were completely unbelievable. The dialogue was stiff and unbelievable. The terror plot and how they saved themselves was completely ridiculous. Had this book not been chosen as pick for my book club, I would have stopped reading it half way through. As a matter of fact, I am not sure why I didn't, in spite of the book club. I have done that before. I guess there was a little something that made me want to know what would happen. Or maybe I was trying to find some credulity in it. Needless to say, I was very disappointed!

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

a romance thinly disguised as a discourse on Jewish and Muslims relations

What began as a trite, predictable novel never got any better. An unimaginable love between an Orthodox Jew and an observant Muslim morphs into a terrorist plot where an 18 year old threatens one of the FBIS ten most wanted, like that could happen. To add to the mix, the girl, Rayna, comes into a $100,000 a year trust fund without conditions at age 18, then inherits another $3 million, also without conditions. The improbable and unbelievables continue to compound until you have to set the book aside. I know this is a work of fiction, but even fiction needs to seem possible. I couldn't take one more outburst, oh I love her, him so much. Put this one on the shelf with other low rated romance novels.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

My best friend made me promise her that I would read this after finishing another. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't like this book very much at all.
It felt like the material was trivialized at times, & over dramatized at others. I did believe in their loyalty & love for each other, & that's what prevented me from putting the book down until the end.
However, there were SO many unrealistic portions,(I don't want to ruin anything by mentioning them), that it was very far fetched and hard to believe.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was a good one, however, I felt the author brushed past too many of the important pieces of the plot. At times the book was too unbelievable with how easy things went for the young couple of extremely different backgrounds and religions. The ending was stronger than the majority of the book, which could have used better research for the locale and better character develoment as well as more comprehensive plot development.

[Wendy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get the intended message, orthodox Syrian Jew meets/falls in love with/marries Syrian Shiite Muslim and their families and communities disown them, how dare they! The author tries to show how similar their cultures are and that its society forcing the couple apart. I get that and it works for the story. The rest of the mess they find themselves in is a bit 'general hospital' and doesn't have roots in reality.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I agree wholeheartedly with the author's premise that hatred and stereotyping people is wrong, I felt her writing was overwrought and melodramatic. I only finished this because I love my sister and she loved this book, so I hoped there was something further along in the book that might change my mind. I would have given it one star, but it earned an extra one because I think the author was trying to make a point with which I agree.

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story about the marriage between a Muslim man and a Jewish woman and the husband's forced involvement in a terrorist organization. Embarrassingly awkward, stilted and hackneyed writing, an unlikely plot and an out-of-the- blue surprise ending make me wonder why I ever had this on my "to read" list.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate giving a bad rating to any book because I ask myself, "could I have written a book, much less a better book?" And the answer is always a resounding "NO!" So, I'm sorry that I didn't enjoy what this author had written. I think if not for the fantastical ending of the protagonist discovering the secret of his past, I would've given the book one more star but it was just so cheesy.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story had a lot of potential but terrible execution. At times while reading I had to remind myself that I was t watching an ABC after- school special circa 1985.

Was this book edited? A decent editor may have salvaged this piece of deplorable writing.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to give negative reviews and fortunately I haven't had to with all the wonderful books I have read but The Other Half of My Soul sadly doesn't fall into that category.

The writing was so weak, almost infantile I skimmed most of the book desperate to finish it which thankfully now I have

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this book is so interesting but that's about it. It is so poorly written and far fetched. I wanted to love it, I wanted it to go somewhere meaningful. It's like a bad action movie with ridiculous plot twists that make no sense. Boo!

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and it brought up some great things to think about, particularly given what's going on in this world. However I did not think the writing was strong and found it to be fairly juvenile. Conflicts and solutions were just too easy to predict.

[SylviaSez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never written a review before I finished a book. This book is terrible and I am dreading getting to the ending. No matter what it is it cannot possibly redeem the entire book. Does anyone know if this is a self published book?

[Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poorly written and too far fetched to believe.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet love story, but a totally implausible plot and mediocre writing.

[Rachel Dworkin · Rating 1 out of 5]

so contrived- bordered on the absurd. The only redeeming moments were when the author (who i believe is a journalist) wrote about the political situation in Syria.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too predictable and too unrealistic. Even the writing didn't hold my attention.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointing. Could have been a great story but poor writing and too many unexplained and improbable situations.