Told in a hypnotic, evocative tone, Dreaming of Oranges: An Unreliable Memoir is a rollicking ride for fans of adventure, a story that is so beautifully told and enriched by the finesse of humor that permeates the narrative. The witticism is also exceptional. The pathos is strong, the plot fascinating, and the characters so real. I enjoyed the prose and the way the author captures elements of the setting — the strong images, the smells, the wonderful sights and the myriad sensations that connect characters to places. Marcelline Thomson will seduce you with her unique storytelling skill and her ability to allow her characters to speak straight to the hearts of readers. Deeply moving and hugely entertaining.  5 Stars

Her deft depictions of the deserts, the cities, and the cultural ways of the Middle Eastern people resonate with truth. The loves are sensuous, the dangers are real, and the violence disturbing. Thomson reveals these elements gradually through the perceptions of two girls barely out of their teens who fancy themselves smart enough to take it all in stride. Anyone who has ever traveled abroad will readily identify with Sirrine and Jean, and all women of a certain age will remember those times when female adventurers were far more restricted and in far more danger than their male counterparts. The heroines’ reunion offers a poignant denouement, leaving the reader to suspect that these two hardy wanderers are not finished continent hopping. RECOMMENDED