Assessment:
Idea: Adamo takes a unique approach to self-help through a narrative that focuses on an individual's struggles following the demise of a dysfunctional and abusive relationship.
Prose: Reading more like a novel than a work of nonfiction, From Love Trauma to Fearless Love is genuine in tone and at times lyrical. An over-reliance on exposition and a somewhat heavy-handed tone can be at odds with the work's more organic storytelling approach.
Originality: While the topic of escaping abuse, breaking destructive patterns, and tapping into personal resilience is often explored in the realm of self-help, the author's choice to present this work as a story is a unique one--albeit, one that may make its categorization a challenge.
Character/Execution: Elena's vulnerability is vividly conveyed, though much of her development serves as a response to her circumstances and those individuals who have harmed her. Though the strength she finds through dancing tango is impactful, the true essence of the character is left under-examined.
Date Submitted: October 05, 2020
Powerful self-discovery through the Tango!
The protagonist finds herself caught in a well-crafted, all-encompassing web of lies and deceit. Elena, a woman who loves life becomes involved with Cesar a man who is very adept at lying, manipulation and is a stereotypical narcissus. Elena turns to Don Charlo, a master instructor of the Tango, to enrich her dance skills.
From Love Trauma to Fearless Love is a unique book that explores the relationship between a Narcissist and their prey in an easy to understand and relatable manner. After each dance lesson, Elena applies the lesson to her relationship with Cesar until she realizes she has not only lost herself but is in a highly toxic relationship that could and will leave her broken beyond repair.
No one wants to hear bad things about a significant other or someone we care about; we would much rather blame ourselves. Narcissists know this. I enjoyed the technique Jianny Adamo employed to educate her listeners on the warning signs and more importantly how to extradite oneself and step onto the road of recovery and healing. The lessons are delivered in a clear, thoughtful and non-threatening/non-shaming manner which is important.
It is a powerful delivery of very important and useful information for healing. I enjoyed her creative style and look forward to more by Adamo. The book is short but very powerful and enjoyable. This is not a book that you listen to and move on quickly to the next one, it is a thought-provoking book. I thought Adamo handled the sensitive portions of the book well.
The narrator, Rebeca Ramirez performed the book expertly with the correct amount of passion, fear, longing, and confusion. Her pace was steady and smooth. I enjoyed her voice for Elena and found her easy to listen to.
The production quality of this audiobook was clear and well done. While I am not a fan of sound effects or music on audiobooks, this was an appropriate time to have the Tango music playing in the background at times as well as the few other sound effects.
This is a unique book that I thought was well done and highly informative; although I am a huge fan of reading books this was much more powerful as an audiobook. I look forward to hearing more by Jianny Adamo.
