Title: Two Roses
Author: Mazen Kharboutli
Publisher:AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 978-1546293651
Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

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The central elements of love, loss, as well as the desire to belong, pervasively populate this touching narrative which poses one man’s journey to self-discovery through his complex relationship experiences in Mazen Kharboutili’s novel Two Roses.

At the center of attention is French-born and raised, Daniel Bouchard. The story follows his growth journey not only into physical maturity but psychological maturity as well. Daniel and older siblings, Pierre, Marie, and Collette found themselves motherless early on in life, leaving them to be raised by their bereaved father and grandmother, neither of which, although loving, could provide that sanctity and security that a loving mother’s attentive love could afford. The result of which, had a profound effect on the way Daniel, in particular, experienced and maintained intimate relationships throughout his life.

However, more tragedy follows with the ensuing loss of his father, which leaves his grandmother to raise them. Consequently, Daniel’s was so deeply affected by the loneliness of his losses left him, bereft and wallowing in a childhood enmeshed in selfpity, bullying, a somber disposition, thoughts of suicide and struggling in school to fit into a world where most other kids had two parents to raise them.

Eventually, rather than continue to fall prey to his depressed feelings and disheartened emotions, Daniel decides to set out on an odyssey that would not only prove his mettle but would open the door his emancipation from his feelings of inferiority. Having been accepted to a prestigious university in New York, he leaves the comforts of his home in Paris and sets on a life-changing journey to a strange, exciting and enticing new world. Nevertheless, while out in the world Daniel’s struggles continue with issues when it comes to love, leading him into a complex life of contradiction, emotional conflict, unrequited love, selfishness and ultimately self-discovery, particularly when he takes responsibility for his selfish behavior within his relationships as life for him comes full circle.

Altogether, Two Roses made for a pleasant, distracting read. Mazen Kharboutli presents a read-worthy narrative, which I found enjoyable. Intelligently written, while fraught with emotion and realistic characterizations the story gives readers a grounded eyewitness view to the growth of Daniel an emotionally confused male who allowed himself to continually feel victimized by his holding onto deep-seated emotions of abandonment and unrequited love, and in turn he victimized those who chose to love him to one of loving maturity, self-determination, and independence. Ultimately, on the journey to finding himself, he gained a deeper understanding of life and love. Ultimately I recommend this book it was a journey through the human condition that was well worth taking a seat to.