Several stories intertwine: Marguerite, born in Beirut in 1922, dreams of composing music and falls in love with a Cuban tobacco farmer and moves to Cuba with him. In the same time period, Annabel, an American chosen to be the spokesmodel of an American tobacco company travels to Cuba at the worst possible time. In the present day, Naïm, a teenage refugee from Aleppo, Syria only wanted to play the piano...until his left hand was destroyed in an explosion that only he and his mother survive and they are relocated to the US.

The first half was so engaging and engrossing but the second half seemed to be speeded up without the detail and emotion of the first half. Still an enjoyable book that will touch your heart.

The Refugee Ocean was a book that I wanted to like because of the summary description, but unfortunately it fell short for me. I found myself skimming 3/4 of the book, just to find out how the stories connected. And the connection wasn’t that intriguing. I wanted to know more about the characters’ lives.

The Refugee Ocean by Pauls Toutonghi offers a brilliant and profound exploration of war, encompassing every conceivable aspect. This captivating literary work delves into the depths of human conflict, shedding light on its multifaceted dimensions with remarkable clarity and insight.

The Refugee Ocean by by Pauls Toutonghi intrigued me, but unfortunately it was not for me. I found myself skimming and wanting to get through it so that I could move on to my next read. There was something missing throughout the entire book. The author seemed to skim the surface of the wars and the story leaving the reader to not become attached or invested in the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The intertwining of the storylines here absolutely did me in. So beautifully written and a story that transports you to the time. The descriptive writing made me feel as though I was there. The character development was interwoven so well into the story. Highly recommend for an inspiring yet sad story.

The Refugee Ocean was a gorgeous story about two refugees in two separate time periods and how music brings them together. There were many subplots running through and while most were necessary and tidied up, a few were not.

Loved the characters and wanted to hear the music!

Links to come.

Hauntingly written, this story explores the inner minds of two very different people who live completely different lives. One, a young boy, starts out in Syria and ends in the United States. Another, a young woman, starts out in Lebanon and ends in Cuba. They are connected by their deep love of music, their experience of extreme violence, and an American who is on a visit to Cuba.

Naïm, a young son in a loving family, somehow understands way beyond his years what suffering and loss can do to others. He has to be helped to move ever so slowly and painfully beyond the loss he has suffered.

Marguerite, a promising pianist and composer, chafes against the future her father has destined for her. She bravely flees her home and country to find her love, but also the beginning of a revolt. Her music lives on to help Naïm find his way.

We know few hard external facts in this story but many wonderfully evanescing thoughts and feelings. This makes us very aware of Naïm and Margaret as they struggle for acceptance in their new surroundings but provides a puzzle as to how their stories will come together. And when they do come together, it seems a bit rushed and not as carefully laid out as the rest of the story.

A beautifully written intertwining saga of two musicians and their difficult, but rewarding, lives. Often misunderstood and stretching across cultures, the two heroes of the stories don’t seem to intersect until they crash together. Add in a third angel and the beauty of lives well-lived plus unconditional generosity combine for a lovely book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This moving book provides a window into twentieth-century Middle East history, but it is so much more than that. It draws the reader into the lives of its thoroughly realized, multi-generational cast, each facing hurdles that transcend politics and culture. Family loyalty, spousal relations, the drive to exercise one's gifting, loss, and the feeling of having outlived one's usefulness to society--all intertwine to create a work of art that appeals to multiple interests on many levels. The inclusion of faith and music deepen the novel's rich impact.

I wanted so badly to like this book. Historical fiction, multiple timelines, characters that are connected in unexpected ways- all tropes that I usually enjoy. Unfortunately, this book left me unsatisfied. The first 50% earned a solid ⅘. I was enraptured by Fatima and Naim’s tragic refugee story. Marguerite’s story of trying to find independence while living through the French Mandate in Beruit was also very interesting.

However, the second half of the book lost me. I became concerned about how quickly the story lines were shifting and how this was possibly going to wrap up in a satisfying manner. Each storyline began to feel underdeveloped and rushed. I wish the author would have given us more about Marguerite’s life in Cuba before the revolution. I would have liked to know how her brother fared at the Conservatoire de Paris. How did Naim learn about Marguerite? For these reasons, it’s a ⅗.


Thank you to the author, Pauls Toutonghi, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This book was very moving and heartfelt. As I followed the two main protagonists Marguerite and Naim who were living during different times but were connected by music created by Marguerite. I was very caught up in the story and couldn't wait to find out what the connection between them was going to be. I found the character development very well done and continued throughout the book. I highly recommend this book!!

Oh, my book-loving buddies, let me introduce you to a literary gem that had me dancing a jig of pure delight—the dazzling masterpiece known as "The Refugee Ocean" by the talented Pauls Toutonghi! Strap yourselves in for a heartwarming tale that effortlessly blends history, love, and the resilience of the human spirit into a harmonious symphony.

Picture this: we have Marguerite Toutoungi, a spirited Lebanese lass with a passion for music, longing to spread her wings and conquer the world. Oh, but life isn't always a smooth waltz, my friends! Instead of dancing her way to Paris, she finds herself caught in a whirlpool of revolution and turmoil, set against a backdrop of a bygone era.

Fast forward to the present day and say hello to Naïm Rahil, a teenage prodigy from war-torn Aleppo, Syria, longing for the tranquility of a normal life. Trust me when I say that his journey is one you won't want to miss. From the brink of civil war in Aleppo to the charming chaos of Havana during the Cuban Revolution, and even the suburbs of Washington, DC, Naïm's quest for a fresh start will tug at your heartstrings like a maestro's masterpiece.

Toutonghi's storytelling prowess shines as he deftly shifts between these two extraordinary characters, propelling the narrative forward while whisking us away on an enchanting adventure. What impressed me the most was how the author tackled weighty subjects with a finesse that never overshadowed the heart of the story. He artfully weaves the struggles of displacement, identity, and healing into the fabric of the tale, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates deeply.

And the finale, dear readers! The last third of the book is an absolute triumph. Toutonghi steers clear of clichés and delivers a conclusion that feels utterly organic. It left me feeling satisfied and emotionally invigorated, as if I had just witnessed a grand crescendo in a symphony of words.

I devoured this book faster than a voracious reader at an all-you-can-read buffet. The pages practically turned themselves, and before I knew it, I had reached the final note of this glorious literary composition. It left me both fulfilled and yearning for more—an enchanting paradox that only a true masterpiece can achieve.

I would have loved to see even more exploration of the rich cultural backgrounds of Marguerite and Naïm. While the story brims with life and vivid imagery, a deeper dive into their respective heritages could have added an extra layer of flavor to this already delectable feast.

But hey, my dear bookish comrades, don't let that deter you for even a moment! "The Refugee Ocean" is a breathtaking voyage that will leave you enchanted, moved, and forever grateful for the power of music and art in shaping our lives. I implore you, dive headfirst into the waves of this extraordinary tale—you won't be disappointed!

Kudos to Pauls Toutonghi for crafting a mesmerizing narrative that transcends time and borders, reminding us that our shared humanity can triumph even in the face of adversity. Bravo, good sir, bravo!