Review
"'Wagih Abu-Rish uses his new book, Nad of Nadide, to shed light on the culture, politics, and religion surrounding a few middle eastern countries. This book is a classic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the troupe of forbidden love and political turmoil. Nad of Nadide is exceptionally unique in the retelling of this classic story. After reading the book and comparing the similarities between the original and the author's version, the author recreates many major milestones and events that transpire in Shakespeare's play. The biggest difference between Abu-Rish's version and the classic is the lack of a longstanding feud between two families and more of a religious/cultural feud, with a discriminating, politically motivated marriage for General Hikmet's daughter. This book is as enticing as the Shakespearian classic, maybe more."
-Literary Titan
"Nad of Nadide" is beautifully written and richly evocative The characters are wonderfully relatable, and watching them navigate the difficulties of their troubled lives is enthralling. Nad has a vibrating presence. she's not perfect: she is gentle and sensitive, and yet a full-throated, flesh-and-blood woman who redefines independence and her own self while embracing her Muslim heritage. Abu-Rish deftly peels away the layers of Fareed's life, revealing how hard it has been for him to be in Nad's company and worry about getting his heart broken once again.
-The Prairies Book Review
"Nad of Nadide is the story of a turbulent series of events triggered by the meeting of two young adults in 1980s Turkey. It is a story which has a combination of a love, family drama, and political and diplomatic elements.
One of the strengths of this story is the charm of the large cast of characters. All the characters are well-drawn and likeable.
The book is recommended to readers who are comfortable with keeping track of these complicated political, religious, and personal agenda. It would be an excellent read for individuals or book clubs that enjoy exploring family dynamics, international relations, and diplomacy.
In all, it is an engaging read, shining a light on the diplomatic and political maneuvering needed in volatile situations to obtain such basic freedom as choosing one's partner."
-Book Review Directory
"Wow. Wow. Wowwww This book is for anyone who enjoys a TRUE forbidden romance ... A real masterpiece of a retelling. I'm rereading again ASAP."
- Laura A. Amazon Reader
"Wagih Abu-Rish has written a wonderful book on the power of love and fighting for it all set in the 1980s political backdrop of the Middle East. It was a historical ride... The characters are rich and varied and are woven perfectly within the pages."
- Amy G, Amazon Reader
"It was so cool to see the unraveling of the classic of Romeo and Juliet set in a very different setting that its historical roots... that deepened the plot in many ways for me. Well done!"
- Matt Emmorey, Amazon Reader
"Star-crossed lovers fight for a future together amidst 1980s political, cultural, and religious turmoil in the Middle East.... beautifully captures the passion and tension... the wonderful "aliveness" of two characters caught between loyalty and love... the perfect romance — one where you experience the agony and ecstasy of the characters. Beautiful!"
-Reader Views-
"... this book is a must-read for any avid lover of historical fiction and romance. Wagih Abu-Rish has created something genuinely beautiful here."
Katherine D.
"'Wagih Abu-Rish uses his new book, Nad of Nadide, to shed light on the culture, politics, and religion surrounding a few middle eastern countries. This book is a classic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the troupe of forbidden love and political turmoil. Nad of Nadide is exceptionally unique in the retelling of this classic story. After reading the book and comparing the similarities between the original and the author's version, the author recreates many major milestones and events that transpire in Shakespeare's play. The biggest difference between Abu-Rish's version and the classic is the lack of a longstanding feud between two families and more of a religious/cultural feud, with a discriminating, politically motivated marriage for General Hikmet's daughter. This book is as enticing as the Shakespearian classic, maybe more."
-Literary Titan
"Nad of Nadide" is beautifully written and richly evocative The characters are wonderfully relatable, and watching them navigate the difficulties of their troubled lives is enthralling. Nad has a vibrating presence. she's not perfect: she is gentle and sensitive, and yet a full-throated, flesh-and-blood woman who redefines independence and her own self while embracing her Muslim heritage. Abu-Rish deftly peels away the layers of Fareed's life, revealing how hard it has been for him to be in Nad's company and worry about getting his heart broken once again.
-The Prairies Book Review
"Nad of Nadide is the story of a turbulent series of events triggered by the meeting of two young adults in 1980s Turkey. It is a story which has a combination of a love, family drama, and political and diplomatic elements.
One of the strengths of this story is the charm of the large cast of characters. All the characters are well-drawn and likable.
I recommend the book to readers who are comfortable keeping track of these complicated political, religious, and personal agendas. It would be an excellent read for individuals or book clubs that enjoy exploring family dynamics, international relations, and diplomacy.
In all, it is an engaging read, shining a light on the diplomatic and political maneuvering needed in volatile situations to obtain such basic freedom as choosing one's partner."
-Book Review Directory
"Author Wagih Abu-Rish tells a captivating tale of two star-crossed lovers who find themselves caught amidst a brewing rebellion against the government. Nad of Nadide is filled with romance, suspense, and political intrigue. The narrative is a breeze to go through, with a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns that you never see coming. Fareed and Nad are the two central characters around which the narrative revolves around. Aside from them, I found Fareed's mother, Fiona, to be the most developed character. Abu-Rish does a stellar job of capturing the political landscape of early 1980s Turkey. I will recommend this book to readers who love suspenseful romance stories."
- ReadersFavorite
Nad of Nadidé holds the political enlightenment of a contemporary historical novel; the emotional draw of lovers fated to struggle not just with each other, but their disparate cultural influences; and the action and tense twists of a thriller.
Combining all these elements in a readable story that doesn't demand prior knowledge of the times or the countries featured is no mean feat, but Abu-Rish achieves the difficult goal of making his novel accessible to all kinds of readers; from those who enjoy political intrigue to others seeking the story of fated individuals who buck the odds and their own backgrounds in the name of love.
Libraries and readers looking for novels steeped in social and political conundrums, rich with emotional draws and strong character development, and packed with action that moves from political to social circles will find Nad of Nadidé a winner. -Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Wagih Abu-Rish is a Palestinian-American author and activist. He spent much of his career as a businessman, specializing in acquisitions. During a long and varied professional career, he was a foreign journalist in Beirut, Lebanon, and an ad executive on Madison Avenue in New York.
He has been active in promoting progressive causes such as democratic practices and equal rights. Among those causes, he feels strongly about the need for the liberation of women in the Middle East, which he considers to be the most overlooked and abridged human right of all.
It is his hope that this book highlights the themes he believes in. The most salient of such themes is the fact that most adherents are ignorant of the essence of their own religions. This applies equally to the adherents of Islam and to all other religions.
His second and mostly implied theme is the difficulty people have in humanizing others, whether that means another gender, ethnicity, or nationality. Such humanization is the starting point for resolving difficulties and conflicts between competing individuals, parties, and countries.
Mr. Abu-Rish earned bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Houston and the University of Oregon. This is his first novel.
