Illusion of Time by Omar Hamoud; Strange Beautiful Philosophical Literary Fiction Novel

 Illusion of Time by Omar Hamoud; Strange Beautiful Philosophical Literary Fiction Novel 

By Julie Sara Porter 

Bookworm Reviews 

Spoilers: Illusion of Time by Omar Hamoud is a beautiful transformative philosophical novel that touches on various subjects like time, memory, death, fatalism, destiny, spirituality, and whether we are truly in charge of our lives or a part of someone else's design.

The book covers two lives who are connected on the same day in 1967. As restaurateur William Van Dyck dies of natural causes in Charlotte, North Carolina, Andrian Davis is born in New York City. Throughout the book, we are treated to the lives of both men and they seem to be linked. It's never stated why specifically but they seem to share minds, souls, memories, and experiences.

My copy of the book has no transition between William and Andrian's stories. No long white space, no separation of paragraphs, no subheads. Nothing that separates one story from another. Just jumps from Andrian to William and back again.

Now that could be a mistake in formatting or just found in the Advanced Review Copy but it could be intentional. It might be a way of forcing the reader to pay attention to the transitions through time and William and Andrian’s individual accounts. It tells us that even though they have different experiences and separate beliefs and perspectives, they are essentially the same soul living the same story. Each man is just taking half of it.

This is a book that captures both the real and the abstract. Ordinary lives intersect with esoteric discussions about what connections might mean in the deuteragonist’s lives, what their lives mean, or what anyone's life means for that matter.

Mostly these facets are found in William and Andrian who represent the split between the physical and the metaphysical, the material and the spirit, the body and the mind, what we can see and experience with our five senses, and what we think and believe with our extra senses. William represents one side and Andrian represents the other.

William’s life from his birth in 1893 Belgium to his death is one of poverty, abandonment, and desperate financial need.His mother abandoned him and his father lost himself to alcohol and self pity. 

William was raised with a brother who resorted to theft to earn a living and a sister who was the closest thing to a mother figure that he ever had. This exposure to loss and poverty propelled him to pursue financial earthly gain at any cost.

Andrian was also shaped by his upbringing but to follow a different path. His parents were baffled by his genius intellect, vivid dreams, and questions about Biblical characters and teachings that challenged their Christian faith. He isn't isolated by circumstances around him but more by people who don't know what to do with this brilliant but baffling child. 

His primary source of encouragement is from his uncle who follows the boy's education and career development for his own personal avaricious interests. This exposure to intellectual curiosity and human weakness propels him to pursue scientific knowledge and clear answers at any cost.

Their chosen professional lives are also indicative of their life paths. William's work in farming, meat preparation, and the restaurant business are about keeping people fed, providing sustenance, and attending to people's basic needs. It's the type of professional life for someone whose focus is on the things of the physical world that can be seen, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted.

 Andrian's work in physics and psychology are about studying the deep philosophical questions, providing knowledge and wisdom through learning and research, finding out why people live the lives that they did, what dreams they had, and what messaged the higher consciousness is sending. It's the type of professional life for someone whose focus is on the mental and spiritual worlds that can be learned, studied, experienced, thought, and believed.

Both men have circles of friends, lovers, siblings, and others who are drawn by their character. William’s wife and friends are drawn to his strength, determination, and earthiness. Andrian's friends and wife are drawn by his acceptance and intuitive intelligence. 

If they ever met, William would probably see a stuffy egghead that he wouldn't understand half the things that he was saying but would appreciate his understanding and the long interesting talks they would have. Andrian would probably see a blunt instrument who operates on emotion but would be touched by his devotion to those around him.

They don't meet in life or death nor do they know about each other but their lives connect in various ways. They share similar problems like conflicts with an older sibling and betrayal from an older mentor or parental figure. They marry similar women who are supportive but aren't afraid to disagree with or call them out. Deaths of loved ones cause them to spiral into Depression for a time. 

They also share much deeper connections that aren't shared in the mortal world but through the metaphysical. Andrian has dreams of various moments in William's life that could be past life regression or evidence of reincarnation. However, what muddies this interpretation is that William has flash forward dreams and thoughts of Andrian! 

Even though William was mostly a practical man of the physical world, higher curious thoughts entered his head. As Andrian experienced many similar earthly experiences of family, friends, and work William experienced some of Andrian's intellectual curiosity and academic research. His dreams of Andrian confuse him and he questions his life path and higher consciousness. 

Since William lacks the education and scholastic research, they are mostly stagnant thoughts pushed aside for reality. Towards the end of his life, William wonders if someone will have the answers. Little did he know but might have imagined that someone would be born on his death day.

There is an interesting theory that Andrian poses towards the end about what this connection means. In the book's universe anyway, it seems to be the right one but up to a point which sends the book spiraling to another direction. It pushes the book’s themes of interconnectivity and the split between mind and body to a higher level. 

Most of the book suggests that we are made by memories, dreams, time, social circles, choices, education, and experiences. This theory suggests that our paths are not made by us but by a greater design and higher power. It is disconcerting for this theme to be thrown in the last couple of chapters without time to dwell on it further into the novel. Though it is suggested that's why William and Andrian's lives are so parallel in some ways and so divided in others.

However, it is left open ended whether this theory is correct even within the narrative. Like many great philosophical novels, Illusion of Time invites the readers to inquire, discover their own views, provide their own answers, and ask questions about their own lives. We ask who made us the people that we are, some outside force or ourselves? 

Traumatization and Its Aftermath: The Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Traumatic Disorders by Antonieta Contreras: The Candid Odyssey: Exploring India and The Philosophy of Life by B Johny;

Traumatization and Its Aftermath: The Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Traumatic Disorders by Antonieta Contreras

Antonieta Contreras’ book Traumatization and Its Aftermath: The Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Traumatic Disorders is an in depth look at trauma, how it affects our lives, and what can be done to treat it.

While there is some confusion over what trauma is and isn't, Contrera describes trauma as “the effects of the activation of the innate survival circuits that are designed to protect the individual from the possibility of dying after a severe reaction to a threatening occurrence.” 

It's good to separate what trauma is (long term, creating barriers between self and an event to keep from experiencing it again or dying) and what trauma isn't (short term, emotional distress or disappointment without extensive change in lifestyle or behavior). The means of understanding what trauma actually is helps define, identify, and ultimately recognize and treat it.

Contreras identifies the various stages of traumatization by using a lightning strike as an example. The lightning that appears in the sky and scares the person is called traumatic. The trauma process officially begins by a traumatic event for example getting struck by lightning and becoming aware of the danger. 

Traumatization starts when the person becomes shocked and scared. Survival circuits are activated by reacting in fear, perhaps filled with anxiety and fear of loud noises. The reaction dissipates info defeat as the survival mode is depleted. When this final stage is met, the mind and body react with long term lasting injuries and complications which reignite the traumatization long afterwards. The stages help Readers recognize the patterns in their own lives and where they may lie within that cycle. 

The book also goes into detail about the effects that trauma has on the body particularly the brain and emotions. It focuses on how external traumatizing agents like abuse, neglect, and systemic adversity can create internal agents like distorted perception, shame, guilt, fear and defeat. Mechanisms like the Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn response are also explored. Traumatization is an ongoing continuous process which can be physically, mentally and emotionally troubling. 

The book uses medical and psychological terms to analyze and systematize trauma. Some of it can be dense and hard to follow but the basic approach is to show how a person lives with trauma and how it affects their lives and relationships with others.

Contreras like many authors uses case studies to prove her point but unlike many authors who name several specific examples, Contreras uses one study of one specific individual spreading their story across several chapters to give an in depth look on how trauma can continue for years even decades after the first traumatic event.

Contreras tells the story of Michaela who was drugged and raped by an acquaintance. This traumatic event grew as Michaela tried to seek counseling but received a lack of empathy and a lot of insulting questions towards her ethnicity. The rape and the questions led her to feel fear, shame, and an inability to articulate or share her trauma. 

Michaela then developed PTSD from the ordeal. She avoided people and situations that reminded her of the rape or her rapist. She had negative thoughts about herself, blamed herself, and lost interest in things. 

After therapy and self reflection, Michaela realized the rape wasn't her only bad experience. She realized that she was abused in other ways by previous relationships though she did not recognize it as abuse at the time. She dealt with them by dissociating herself. 

She also recalled a neglected childhood from a mother who was herself abused when she was young. Michaela also had a contentious relationship with a brother who ran away from home when she was a child. 

Michaela recognized these earlier events and patterns contributed to the post trauma from her rape. Understanding and naming the trauma gave her the awareness and courage to work through it. Michaela’s story is an example for us all.

Traumatization and Its Aftermath brings trauma to the forefront so it can be seen, analyzed, understood, treated, and maybe someday ended.

The Candid Odyssey: Exploring India and The Philosophy of Life by B. Johny

B. Johny’s The Candid Odyssey: Exploring India and The Philosophy of Life is a detailed and descriptive trip through India and we're all invited. Well sort of.

That's because Johnny writes the book in first person plural using “we”, Instead of “I.” While people often travel in groups and Johnny could very well be referring to his actual traveling companions, the pronoun may have been chosen for stylistic reasons. It's a way to draw the Reader in so they can vicariously enjoy the trip alongside Johny.

From August 20 to October 22, 2022 Johny travelled to India to recover from a bout of depression and for a journey of self-discovery. During that time, Johny visited many places, encountered many people, and reflected on many things. 

Johny describes his experiences rather well in a way that invites Readers to picture them in their heads. He describes Horniman Circle Garden in Mumbai as “filled with people enjoying their time in peace. Some read quietly, others nap on the grass, and some engage in deep discussions….As we rest near a tree, we observe small rats scurrying about in search of food.” Johny wants us to experience everything in India, the beauty and ugliness, the rare and commonplace, the familiar and unfamiliar. 

Johny finds meaning in various experiences on his trip. He describes passing through a tunnel as “we feel a sense of joy, knowing that at the end of the darkness lies light. Witnessing that light is a satisfying experience….We only realize the presence of light when we go through the darkness. Similarly, life is filled with peace and happiness, which we appreciate only after experiencing some conflict and sorrow.”

Even hardships on the trip lead to valuable life lessons. When Johny came down with a fever, he recognized the importance of being sedentary even while traveling and scheduling an extra week for just such an occasion. “Just like race cars need a pit stop, it's time for a pit stop in our journey….A day to rest, rethink, replan, and refresh. Such pit stops are applicable throughout our lives. This long journey itself is a pit stop in life.”

Since this is a journey of self-discovery, spirituality is often discussed. Johny found a deeper connection to spirit in various people, places, and things. He describes a train ride as one of the best meditation techniques. “When we gaze out of the window, countless thoughts arise, often unexpectedly. The very thoughts we had been seeking….The interesting thing is that we gradually transition between locations, making it difficult to recognize the differences easily. This mirrors life itself; we gradually transition through ages, and it's not always apparent how we’ve changed as we grow older. Recognizing who we are requires self-reflection. Ultimately, our consistent self-reflection leads to self-realization, a deep pursuit of knowing ourselves. By being mindful of our actions, words, and intentions we can effectively navigate this journey.”

Just as we can through life.

Debunked by Beth Perry, Discover Your Natural Gifts: Connect With Your Natural Genius, Discover Your Niche, and Transform Your Life Using Gifts From Your Ancestors by Barry D. McCollough, French Turquoise Echoes by Carola Schmidt

 Debunked by Beth Perry, Discover Your Natural Gifts: Connect With Your Natural Genius, Discover Your Niche, and Transform Your Life Using Gifts From Your Ancestors by Barry Douglass McCollough, French Turquoise Echoes by Carola Schmidt 

Debunked by Beth Perry 

This is a brief review. The longer version can be found at LitPick.

Debunked is an engaging Supernatural Thriller/Occult Mystery about possessing intuitive abilities and using them as well as releasing long buried guilt. It is a fascinating conflict between skeptics and intuitives that has a lot of parallels with real life.

Craig Herbert is the executive field producer of The Debunkers Challenge, a top rated reality program that exposes fraudulent psychics. The twist is the show will offer money if they can prove their abilities in front of the skeptics.

Craig visits Tennessee upon the advice of a colleague’s relative to visit Betty Ann Crawford, a clairvoyant with an uncanny success rate. The more Craig interviews the woman, the more bemused and mystified he is. Either she is an excellent con artist or she really is psychic.

The Debunkers Challenge is clearly based on the challenge created by James Randi.

Betty Ann is probably not based on one specific person but probably an amalgam of different famous psychics and mediums such as Dorothy Allison, Sylvia Browne, Tyler Henry, Allison Dubois, and Uri Geller. Readers will love the inside references and the themes of science vs. superstition, skepticism vs. belief, the physical world vs. the supernatural world. 

This is also a very tight efficient Occult Mystery which plays all of the right notes within the subgenre. Craig has a tragic past with his own brush with death and unsolved crimes. His encounters with Betty Ann build on those memories as he receives horrific visions and flashbacks connected with his past. 

The final chapters taking place during the filming of the episode in which Betty Ann is the spine tingling climax. Betty Ann makes some chilling revelations that are genuine plot twists that were properly built up but enough of a surprise once they were finally told. 

Debunked is a brilliant chilling Occult Mystery that challenges the Readers with what they believe in and what it would take to question those beliefs.

Discover Your Natural Gifts: Connect With Your Natural Genius, Discover Your Niche, and Transform Your Life Using Gifts From Our Ancestors by Barry Douglass McCollough

Barry D. McCullough’s Discover Your Natural Gifts is a brilliant inspirational book that encourages Readers to discover and build on natural talents in Leadership, Management, Math, Art, and Science.

Each chapter follows the same formula. It explains the origins of the gifts and how they evolved through time. They then cite examples of famous people who exhibited those traits as well as many of the others. They then discuss strengths, limitations, and keywords of those gifts and how the others balance them out.

Among the most interesting sections are the ones that describe specific people who exemplify those gifts and how they used them to help create a better world around them. Mohandas K. Gandhi was an example of a Natural Leader by creating a specific vision and inspiring large groups of people with his words and calls to action. He led many to embrace his ideals of nonviolence and civil disobedience and became a symbol of India’s fight for independence from Great Britain.

Another fascinating section is one which describes the gifts in great detail, particularly their keywords. A Natural Manager for example would be adept in observation, analysis, organization, planning, discipline, calculation, restraint, utilizing, making decisions, allocation, and assigning and delegating responsibility. They falter in gaining control, manipulation, judgment, accepting and rejecting certain people and views, being too commanding, and sometimes practicing discrimination. 

They show that every gift has positive and negative attributes and how important it is to balance them with the other gifts so the person doesn't become too rigid and short-sighted in their roles and views.

Discover Your Natural Gifts is an interesting way to explore and nurture one's abilities and maybe gain some new ones.

French Turquoise Echoes by Carola Schmidt 

Carola Schmidt’s short work “French Turquoise Echoes” could be seen as a modern day adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Like its predecessor, it explores the fine line between sanity and insanity. It also asks some really tough uncomfortable questions about the real reasons behind this psychotic break, the person experiencing it, and the world surrounding them before and during this episode.

Janet Danvers is a retired psychologist/youth volunteer.spends her days staring at her French turquoise wallpaper which is decorated with a floral pattern. Throughout her days, she interacts with a variety of characters who could be either products of an overactive imagination, repressed memories of people in her life, or visual and auditory hallucinations. As her conversations with them become more intense. Janet is forced to come to terms with various past traumas that may have manifested themselves into the forms of her companions.

“French Turquoise Echoes” is reminiscent of those classic Gothic short stories which take place in a small enclosure and where every object is filled with meaning and metaphor. The wallpaper for example could stand for Janet’s fractured mindset. Flowers normally symbolize life, youth, peace, and growth but in case they mean something different. The flowers on the wallpaper seem to be metaphors of death and hidden truths. Instead of reminding her of good pleasant times, they are covered in her blood as she strips away the paper. They force her to peer into her subconscious and come to terms with things that she mentally concealed.

Her companions are deceptively written to be engaging and a welcome presence.. Such characters as the curious Margaret, the calm Antonio, the sardonic Robert, the elegant Lilac comment on and become almost as multifaceted as Janet herself. Even some characters like Gwen, Janet’s daughter, and Otto, a young boy put in Janet’s care, have an air of mystery to them. It is purposely left ambiguous whether they are actually real or a part of this gang. 

At first, they appear to be a sort of protection from the real world, a means for Janet to express herself in a creative manner. They represent facets of her personality and allow her to examine those traits inwardly. They also could just be someone that she can talk to on a daily basis. However, as the story continues they become more forceful, manipulative, and possess violent and self-destructive impulses. On the one hand, they want Janet to learn the truth but they don’t mind hurting her to make her see it.

As I mentioned before, “French Turquoise Echoes” is a post-modern adaptation of “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Both are commentaries on the line between sanity and madness and how society treats the people involved. Gilman’s story was a criticism of the treatment of women in a patriarchal society. Women who had depression and other illnesses were prescribed rest cures, were deprived of outside stimulation, and reduced to an infantile state. 

“French Turquoise Echoes” is a meditation on loneliness and the plight of the elderly. Janet once felt useful, a large part of a thriving community. She had a successful career to look back on with pride,loyal friends, and a loving family. Now, she lives a solitary life detached from the world around her. She is forgotten by the society around her, so she retreats within herself inside her own head. Is it any wonder that she has such an active fantasy life when her reality is so disappointing? 

Unfortunately. Janet used her fantasy life as a deflection and a shield from her traumas. However, the more she tried to hide from them the more they appeared until she couldn’t hide any longer. Her fantasy and reality, once separate world are forced to become one.