Monday, August 11, 2014

A new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid. See the full review.

There was something nostalgic, yet ever so present that I gathered from this book. The writing style is easy to follow and it has realistic characters that seemingly come to life on the page. A truly solid novel, Let's Get Lost is one to remember and always come back to. Each adventure begins with a sense of excitement and hope. They seem to rush by in a flurry, weaving together Leila's experiences with an intriguing continuation. 

 

I found it very clear that this book is written by someone who understands people and can easily put themselves in other people's shoes, and who can perfectly depict personalities, conversations, and experiences that feel realistic to the reader. I was invested in the outcome of each story, and even though they went by in a flash, they didn't feel incomplete or finished in an unsatisfying and forced manner.

 

In the advance uncorrected proof edition of Let's Get Lost which I received, I discovered a page or two dedicated to a Q&A with author Adi Alsaid. On being asked what he hopes his readers will take away from this book, he mentions the "specific feeling of peacefulness you get when you finish a good book," and how when he finishes a truly amazing read, he "looks around seeing the world as a more literary place, amazed that the people around me don't see it, too, that the experience was contained to me." I decided to share this quote because I feel that it explains how I felt after reading Let's Get Lost precisely. These four intertwined adventures capture an intimacy between the reader and text that I have slight difficulty phrasing to my satisfaction. In the simplest of descriptions, it reaches out to its audience. A truly special read, I definitely connected to Alsaid's work as a young individual, but also as an aspiring author and someone who is fascinated by human character. Let's Get Lost is memorable, enthralling, and emotive. Although I will admit that I typically don't always favor today's Young Adult centered literature, Let's Get Lost was thoroughly enjoyable for me and I look forward to reading Alsaid's future work.