Book Review: Differential Equations by Julian Iragorri & Lou Aronica

*On Monday, we are excited to bring you a guest post from one of the authors of Differential Equations, Lou Aronica.  Lou will tell us more about the book as well as the inspiration for writing it.

I usually find it difficult to read books that toggle between different times and places, but Iragorri and Aronica made this difference seamless and easy to follow.

Differential Equations tells the tale of four seemingly unrelated people connected only by their geographical locations.  Each character was interesting and could easily warrant a book unto themselves.  In fact, so much so,  it took me more than half way through the book to remember they were somehow tied together.

In the dramatic culmination of these characters, it reminds us how intricately we are all tethered together.  I have never read magic realism before, but found that it made me think of my own history – the rumors and tales that get passed down that we too often lend little credence to.

Back of the book description:
This evocative, moving, and gorgeously detailed novel is the story of Alex Soberano, a contemporary man in crisis. A tremendously successful New York businessman, Alex finds it difficult to embrace joy and accept love. When his life threatens to boil over, he escapes for a brief respite on the West Coast. What waits for him there is something he never could have imagined.

Intertwined with Alex’s story are the stories of three people from different times and places whose lives affect him in surprising ways:

• A woman from the South American city of Anhelo in 1928 that everyone knows as “Vidente.” For decades, Vidente, has been one of Anhelo’s most celebrated citizens because she has the ability to read colors that speak of a person’s fate. However, during one such reading, she sees her own future – a future that includes her imminent death.

• A man named Khaled who left his home in Bethlehem in 1920 to seek fortune in the South American town of Joya de la Costa. He has barely begun to gain a foothold when he learns that the wife and three children he left behind have been murdered. When a magical woman enters his life, he believes that destiny has smiled on him. However, destiny has only just begun to deal with Khaled.

• A nineteen-year-old student named Dro who flies from the South American country of Legado to Boston in 1985 and immediately walks onto the campus of MIT expecting instant admission. Dro’s skills at mastering complex, ever-changing differential equations intrigues the associate admissions director. However, the person he intrigues the most is the celebrated US ambassador from his country, and his relationship with her will define his life.

How the stories of these four people merge is the central mystery of this arresting work of imagination. DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS is a story that will sweep you up in its magic, enrich you with its wisdom, and compel you with its deep humanity.

Differential Equations took me on an interesting journey and did an excellent job of tying it all together.

I would love to see a book in the future that follows the main character, Alex Soberano, to see how the knowledge he gained shaped the lives of succeeding generations.

Don’t forget to check back on Monday to hear directly from Lou Aronica, one of the authors of Differential Equations.  He’s going to tell us about the inspiration behind the book and what he loves about magic realism.

Happy Reading!
Tammy T.

Book Review Notes:
Title:  Differential Equations
Author:  Julian Iragorri & Lou Aronica
Subject:  Fiction
Published:  4/1/2012
Publisher:  Fiction Studio
Source:  Review copy from publisher