Riding the Edge

Riding the Edge by Michael Tobin, read by Luke Welland, is described on the title as a "Love Story to Deborah," and I must say I agree. It is a memoir focused on a six-month bicycle journey through Europe and the Middle East in 1908; a journey made by thirtyish Michael, a non-practicing American Jew, and his girlfriend, Deborah, a Christian Lebanese American, both practicing psychologists. Their trip brings them into contact with many people, mostly interesting, who have come in contact with war. Even now, in Europe, WWII is not history, it is current, but in 1980 it was much more so. These conversations had deep meaning to both of the young travelers, but much more to Deborah, at least at first.

Theirs was a committed relationship, but not yet solidified by vows. Deborah had an ex-boyfriend in Sweden that she went to see for a weeks, looking for closure (or not) before returning to Paris and Michael. From there they continued on eventually ending up in war-torn Lebanon where Deborah had relatives. It became a profound experience, for both of them, experiencing life with daily fear and hatred. The trip began to take on even more serious undertones as it became obvious to Michael, that if her were forced to choose between his Jewishness and Deborah, it would have to be his Jewishness. It broke his heart as it became apparent that if she didn't convert, the love affair was over.

This touching story was narrated by Luke Welland. In the beginning, his voice was too monotone for me but as the memoir progressed, he became the perfect narrator, staying dispassionate and neutral, yet imbuing the narrative with indescribable emotion. He made this audiobook important. Kudos to both Michael Tobin and Luke Welland, but most of all to Deborah.

I was invited to listen to the audio version of Riding the Edge by Greenleaf Book Group, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #michaeltobin #lukewelland #ridingtheedge #greenleafbookgroup

A love letter to Deborah... told through the trials and tribulations of a 6-month bike trek around the world. Ups and downs of both the emotional and hill kind weave through the journey that is this true-life love story.

Leaving the security blanket of their ordered lives in search of something bigger, Michael and Deborah discover more than just their undying love for each other. Both on personal pilgrimages of self-discovery, they ride together across Europe and Asia, through rain and heat, meeting various important characters (and lessons) along the way.

I was captivated by the palpable love Michael still feels for Deborah and was engrossed in the deeply cultural travel tidbits. Written with the help of his diary, the people they encounter are real and constantly reminded me of the value of human connection. Even those less than friendly encounters led to some of the best meals, the most thought-provoking conversations, and perhaps the challenging divides that the couple needed to conquer. A gripping odyssey of love, identity, and fate.

This is probably one of the most beautiful books ever written.

I have no experience reading memoirs and didn't know what to expect, so this was a wonderful surprise.
We follow Michael and Deborah, an American Jew and American Arab, on a bike journey through Europe, Lebanon and Israel. This is a story of discovering their connection to each other, to themselves, to their roots and religion. It was so beautifully written and very emotional. I always cry where reading or listening to holocaust stories and the ending gave me chills.
As an Israeli who isn't considered a Jew by religion, this hit many spots for me that I was battling with for many years.

A must read for everyone and Jews especially.

Riding the Edge is a compelling read, particularly for those who are married and find themselves also 'sleeping walking towards marriage and family'. As a fellow cyclist, I enjoyed this journey, but also was surprised at the psychological lens from which it was written. Tobin perfectly captures the journey around the world and the re-discovery found in this journey with their partner. A great summer read!

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.

In 1980 Michael Tobin and his girlfriend of six years, Deborah, leave their psychology practices on the US East Coast and set out on a six-month bike ride. They are happy with their comfortable lives, committed to each other but not yet married. Yet both of them feel a longing for more, a need to connect with deeper truths and parts of themselves that get lost in the day to day rhythms of life. Deborah wants to visit her familial home in Lebanon, and Michael wants to visit Israel. And so their journey begins, through Europe and into the Middle East.

Forty one years later Michael has recalled that journey and shared it with us all through this book. And he's done an absolutely amazing job. This book is very well written. Michael kept a journal of their trip, and has referred back to it to reconstruct not only the physical, but also the spiritual and psychological journey he and Deborah went through.

What starts as a simple story of their ride's progress, slowly builds layers of meaning as the journey unfolds for Michael and Deborah. Each of them, it seems, has tasks to fulfill along the way. By the end of the journey, and the end of this book, you appreciate what a remarkable "Love Song to Deborah" this truly is.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I am not a religious person, so struggled a bit with the religious awakening aspect. But even that resonated and touched me, as it's plain it comes out of Michael's own truth. I highly recommend this book. Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

NOTES: I listened to the audiobook version of this book as narrated by Luke Welland. The audiobook was released last Wednesday, August 25th. I received this book through Netgalley and Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed listening to this book about the travels of this couple. Was good to read about the places they visited and their experiences while trying to connect.