Member Review

The title of Michael Tobin's novel, Ride the Edge, read by Luke Welland, describes it as a "Love Story to Deborah.". In this memoir, a thirty-something Jewish-American and his twenty-year-old girlfriend, a Christian Lebanese-American, describe a six-month bicycle trip through Europe and the Middle East in 1908. They are both practicing psychologists and made the journey in 1908. On their trip, they encounter many people, and it is fascinating to Meet those who have experienced war. Even today, in Europe, the war is hardly history but is fairly current, but back in 1980, it was much more present.

While a committed relationship, it had not yet been formalized. She had an ex-boyfriend in Sweden that she went to see for a week, hoping to find closure (or not) before returning to Paris and Michael. They then traveled to war-torn Lebanon, where Deborah had a family. Living in fear and hatred every day was a profound experience for both of them. While on the trip, Michael began to perceive that, if forced to choose between his Jewishness and Deborah, the choice would have to be his. It broke his heart as it became apparent that if she didn't convert, the love affair was over.

Luke Welland provides the narration in this story. He became the ideal narrator by imbuing the narrative with emotion while remaining objective and neutral. He made this audiobook important. Kudos to both Michael Tobin and Luke Welland, but most of all to Deborah.