Echoes
Author: Jamilah Kolocotronis
Description from Publisher:
Joshua Adams has always been a wild child. He graduated from reckless childhood accidents to girls and alcohol. By the time he is twenty-three he has three children and a failing marriage. He leaves his wife, after yet another argument, and moves in with some Muslim guys he knows. With the patient encouragement of his friends, Joshua begins to study Islam. Six months later he becomes a Muslim and looks forward to starting a new life. But his fresh start is overshadowed by echoes from his past. First Joshua must conquer the old habits which haunt him after the initial excitement of his conversion has worn off. He must continue his new life as a practicing Muslim while facing difficulties from his past life: a bitter ex-wife, three children whom he abandoned, and strained relationships with his mother and two older brothers. Joshua makes the greatest jihad-the jihad of the self-as he struggles to overcome his past and become a true Muslim. Echoes, the first book in the Echoes Series, is a story of determination and love.
Umm Junayd's Comment:
Many will know that there are very few fiction books written by Muslims, so therefore when I see one I jump - literally jump - at the opportunity to read it.
When I started reading Echoes I was immediately intrigued by the style. The prologue was a perfect start. You ask yourself, "Who's this Joshua who wanted to kill himself in his early teens? Why did he want to kill himself?"; then you are drawn in by the style of the writing. I must say, it's very different from that which I've read before, but that makes it all the more special.
This is an epic novel about love, compassion, marriage, religion and plain old life. Readers learn and live Joshua's struggles to be a better person in order to contribute to his family's life. But the question is, how does he do it or moreso, can he do it?
Mainly written in first person, Echoes grabs you right into the 'speaking' character's thought and the reader feels as though he/ she's with the characters - living their lives; sharing their joys and crying over their sorrows.
Jamilah Kolocotronis did an excellent job of making you hungry for more and this book was certainly a filling entrée!
You can find other reviews of this book along with my own, here.
ISBN: 0976786192