I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Emil Rem takes readers on a unique journey through his many travels around the world in the book “Chasing Aphrodite: Stories of Life, Love & Travel”. 

The Synopsis

“Pure gold.” —Tom Dixon—

EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

Join Emil on his adventures around the world in a series of beautifully written and illustrated stories—heartfelt, and uniquely insightful this book will take you from England to Africa, from Canada to Cypress—all through the author’s skillful storytelling lens…

…“As he gazed out at the revellers on the beach, he was transported to a beach in Africa, where a native boy peered at him from behind a sand dune, much as he had spent his life peering at the alien world around him, trying in vain to understand it, to make it more manageable.

And so he oscillated between the past and the present—the past so dangerously more real…”

The Review

What a memorable and engaging read. The author does a fantastic job of delivering this blend of travelogue meets memoir with a sharp wit and thought-provoking writing style that highlights his adventure and learning experiences during this trip. The detailed descriptions and whimsical yet engaging illustrations before each chapter brought the author’s heart and passion for each location along his journey to life. 

The author’s capture of the culture and humanity behind each step on his journey, along with the depth of his experiences along the way, made this a powerful read. The thoughtfulness of delving into what travel is, and whether we make these trips to discover new locations and worlds or find the familiar and our way back home, made the book so inviting and easy to read.

The Verdict

Remarkable, enlightening, and moving author Emil Rem’s “Chasing Aphrodite” is a must-read travelogue meets memoir. This nonfiction book not only brings these locations to life perfectly, but the heart and transportive nature of the author’s writing allowed the reader to immerse themselves in each stop of his journey and showcased ultimately a love story that made the trip that much more impactful. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Emil Rem, an eccentric accountant becomes a writer of eccentric characters, in exotic locales—each chapter taking us on a trip into his fascinating twisted world. Born to a close knit, middle class Muslim East Indian family in Dar-es-Salam, Africa in the 50’s, he is then moved to Maidenhead England at the age of five. The next twenty years are spent shuttling between England and East Africa, wearing a St. Christopher’s cross one minute and attending church, to wearing a green armband and attending Muslim religious classes in Africa the next. Moving to Canada, marrying a woman from the Philippines and having two boys only adds further texture to his stories.

At the age of five, his mother who possessed no education, but held impossible ambitions, divorced his father and moved to England with Emil in tow. The only work she could get was as a trainee nurse but found she could not look after Emil. An English working class family volunteered to take him in until she found a permanent home for him. The initial two weeks turned into 12 years…

His father continued to work for an airline which permitted Emil to travel free(ly) on standby and from the age of 12 he began to travel the world on his own…

“Neither of my parents could afford to come with me. My mother gave me a pittance for my travels—it was all she could afford. I would arrive at London airport with a carry-on bag and a wad of tickets and take whichever airline had space available. I could be in Moscow or Rio de Janeiro, I never knew. Nor did my family.”

Welcome