A Chronicle of Amends: A spiritual journey for discovering life's true prupose

Dec. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Tariq Saleim’s debut novel, A CHRONICLE OF AMENDS, is a success.  He’s created a four-part collection that will leave you with though-provoking questions; likely the kind that will cause a slight loss of sleep.

With the realization that this book will challenge prevalent ethos and may upset some people, it is his hope that his novel will touch at least one person.  It’s true that this work will likely force you to take a close look at the meaning of life.

“I cannot help but feel that this book is that first step for me,” says the author. “A long journey awaits me as I take on a new challenge in life: the dare of making people understand their purpose in life.”

BOOK REVIEW

Absolute genius; A Chronicle of Amends offers a solution to the continuous question: what’s the point?

In this debut, Tariq Saleim has created a collection in four parts: poetry, reflections, a novella, and finally notes and probes.  The poetry beautifully illustrates how complex and unreliable human thoughts and emotions can be.  Likewise, his reflections, notes, and probes are incredibly thought provoking and lack nothing short of depth. The questions brought forth are likely those that will stick with you and impose reflection.  The novella component, however, is most compelling.

The novella begins with the author illustrating an attack, one that he was unfortunately in the midst of. While in a country, not his own, “to do some good” he remembers, “an invisible force pushed me forward into the wall.” After this horrific event, the author reflects throughout the story of his mentor and friend, AA, whom was lost that fateful day.  The story dives into the subject of God, yet not in relation to a cookie-cuter religion; rather, in the sense of God being the all-powerful source of creation and wisdom above anyone’s meager understanding.  The author claims it is almost “criminally” naïve to deny the existence of God after he speaks of his spiritual journey and asserts that to deny God’s existence is to deny “any meaningful reason for your own existence.” In reading this work, one will likely find it difficult to argue this point. A lot of questions are left for the reader to think about.  This is a story that will likely shake your personal philosophy and beliefs while coming to the realization that life isn’t about us, and was never intended to be easy.

Overall, this is an extremely fulfilling read and presumably fitting for members of all faiths although the author is Muslim.  This collection is deserving of a space on any bookshelf and shouldn’t be overlooked by anyone looking to better understand God, life, and where that “sense of purpose” comes from.  Fans of Mitch Albom and Yann Martel will likely appreciate Saleim’s work and consider it even more fulfilling in many aspects.

An engaging, well-written, autobiographical collection written with sincerity.

Review by http://pennbookreview.com