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Reviewed by Inga Buccella for Readers' Favorite
The Doors Between Our Selves is a poetic memoir by Sanda Berar. Growing up in Romania, she experienced a warm, familial childhood. Thanks to the author’s brave spirit, she's had a transient life, moving from Romania to Finland and finally to Seattle, Washington. But throughout her changes of scenery, culture, family life, and careers, there has been a consistent heightened awareness of her senses. She writes of kitchen scents, such as the smell of oranges, as well as outdoor scents like wet grass and snow, that have followed her throughout her journey. Other powerful themes in this book are visions, whether real or imagined, of lighted rectangular doorways, which the author often walks through to other rooms or realms. Additionally, a red notebook repeatedly appears in many of the chapters, containing mysterious phrases.
Reading The Doors Between Our Selves by Sanda Berar is like walking with the author through her life, or perhaps her dreams. Being a fan of good poetry, I reveled in her clever phrasing and magical metaphors. I believe that the contrasts between different countries' cultures inspired much of the author’s writings. I love a book that makes me think, and this one was intriguing from the beginning. Later in the memoir, I was amazed to learn that this artistically talented woman is not only a poet but also an accomplished computer programmer, professor, and painter! Berar writes in a dreamy style, with descriptions that are full of symbolism and comparisons. The visions of door shapes that have followed her through every life phase may be a way of adapting to new situations. But I think they are also signs of opportunities that await. If you appreciate excellent poetry or personal stories of human experience, walk through this doorway. You may just be enlightened.
