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Split-Second Lifetime
On a business trip from the U.S. to Paris, Jebby meets Dodi on a flight. Jebby is an ethnomusicologist, and Dodi is an international photographer. They are immediately attracted to each other, but from the very first moment Dodi triggers what seems like past life memories for Jebby of a poignant and passionate time they shared together. As Jebby tries to figure out if she is “losing it” or if past lives really do exist, they embark on a path of adventure and romance where lifetimes and cultures interweave in modern day Paris, Uzbekistan, and in the old Southwest. Jebby and Dodi live their unusually diverse and rich adventure and romance, surrounded by an international cast and superb musicians. At the same time Jebby discovers where the Hopi originated from, that death is not a finality, love transcends lifetimes, and music is eternal.
- GenresRomance
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2013
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 21, 2017
Warning really listen, don't just partially listen"
Warning really listen, don't listen with just part of your mind I can't say it enough.
This was so confusing that after about an hour I had to restart and really pay attention.
The narrator has a good voice. But I feel that if there were 2 narrators perhaps a female and male it would have been a lot better and less confusing.
Well since it's already done, just pay attention and you'll really enjoy this story.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author and I provided this voluntary review.
Warning really listen, don't listen with just part of your mind I can't say it enough.
This was so confusing that after about an hour I had to restart and really pay attention.
The narrator has a good voice. But I feel that if there were 2 narrators perhaps a female and male it would have been a lot better and less confusing.
Well since it's already done, just pay attention and you'll really enjoy this story.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author and I provided this voluntary review.
January 29, 2018
( Format : audiobook )
"Caravanserai mobile, music - and guano.'
Meeting for the first time on a 'plane en route to Paris, passengers Dodi and Jebby feel an immediate attraction to each other, which feeling becomes love and they have been together, when this story commences, for seven years. This is not a romance but it is a love story because, with the meeting with Dodi, Jebby, from whose point of view this story is told, also begins to have visions, flashbacks which entirely consume her, to another couple in the long past, Hopi Indians, and their story as well as the present day one, intertwine together throughout the book.
Jebby is a recorder of music whilst Jodi is a renowned magazine photographer and together, with Mickey and Minnie, Jenny's assistants, they travel the world recording and taking pictures in exotic and remote locations. The scenery and ambience of the different locations is beautifully, visually given to the reader with a light and exquisite touch. The whole book is one of delight and exploration, of the places visited, it's music and history and myths, it's peoples - and always there is also the ongoing story of the other life, the customs and loves of the Indian couple.
It is hard to express in a few sentences the beauty and strangeness of this truly delightful story and the fascination aroused in the reader of the lives both present and past. Denise Kahn is a writer of great skill and she has proved, with this book, her ability as a narrator also. With clarity and perfect gentle pacing, she relates this complex tale, always capturing not only the musicality of the text itself but also giving clearly differentiated and appropriate voice to all of her protagonists, both male and female. Even her accents, of which there are many in this cosmopolitan story, seem perfectly reproduced, the only exception being that of Mickey, one of the travelling companions and assistant to Jebby, who is Australian - but without the destinations Aussie twang.
As mentioned previously, this is a love story, love of life, of music, of food and ideas and of a couple.And how love can endure beyond physical death.
My profound thanks to the rights holder of Split-Second Lifetime for gifting me a complimentary copy via FAFY, at my request. It is a wonderful, even inspiring book which demandes the listener's full attention but which I have no hesitation in recommending.
"Caravanserai mobile, music - and guano.'
Meeting for the first time on a 'plane en route to Paris, passengers Dodi and Jebby feel an immediate attraction to each other, which feeling becomes love and they have been together, when this story commences, for seven years. This is not a romance but it is a love story because, with the meeting with Dodi, Jebby, from whose point of view this story is told, also begins to have visions, flashbacks which entirely consume her, to another couple in the long past, Hopi Indians, and their story as well as the present day one, intertwine together throughout the book.
Jebby is a recorder of music whilst Jodi is a renowned magazine photographer and together, with Mickey and Minnie, Jenny's assistants, they travel the world recording and taking pictures in exotic and remote locations. The scenery and ambience of the different locations is beautifully, visually given to the reader with a light and exquisite touch. The whole book is one of delight and exploration, of the places visited, it's music and history and myths, it's peoples - and always there is also the ongoing story of the other life, the customs and loves of the Indian couple.
It is hard to express in a few sentences the beauty and strangeness of this truly delightful story and the fascination aroused in the reader of the lives both present and past. Denise Kahn is a writer of great skill and she has proved, with this book, her ability as a narrator also. With clarity and perfect gentle pacing, she relates this complex tale, always capturing not only the musicality of the text itself but also giving clearly differentiated and appropriate voice to all of her protagonists, both male and female. Even her accents, of which there are many in this cosmopolitan story, seem perfectly reproduced, the only exception being that of Mickey, one of the travelling companions and assistant to Jebby, who is Australian - but without the destinations Aussie twang.
As mentioned previously, this is a love story, love of life, of music, of food and ideas and of a couple.And how love can endure beyond physical death.
My profound thanks to the rights holder of Split-Second Lifetime for gifting me a complimentary copy via FAFY, at my request. It is a wonderful, even inspiring book which demandes the listener's full attention but which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 7, 2017
When Jebby meets Dodi, she begins to have what she first believes to be visions or hallucinations. Though they are strangers, they both feel an instant connection as if they have always known one another. As they travel the world together, Jebbi wonders if her visions are really memories of a past life with Dodi.
Split-Second Lifetime was a beautifully written story but I will admit that I was a little confused in the beginning. Once I realized that the two stories were past life and present, I quickly became more engaged. Ali, their guide in Uzbekistan, was a truly wonderful character. I also loved the "guano" story at the beginning and liked the bits of humor throughout. Music played a central role in the story and it was interesting to learn about instruments of different cultures. The narration was well done considering that the characters had so many different accents and the pacing was very good. This was a very entertaining story and I would recommend Split-Second Lifetime.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
Split-Second Lifetime was a beautifully written story but I will admit that I was a little confused in the beginning. Once I realized that the two stories were past life and present, I quickly became more engaged. Ali, their guide in Uzbekistan, was a truly wonderful character. I also loved the "guano" story at the beginning and liked the bits of humor throughout. Music played a central role in the story and it was interesting to learn about instruments of different cultures. The narration was well done considering that the characters had so many different accents and the pacing was very good. This was a very entertaining story and I would recommend Split-Second Lifetime.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
September 15, 2017
This a really interesting story, that isn't the usual type of thing I read, but I really enjoyed the story! This book deals with love through time, and the characters are on a wonderful journey through Uzbekistan, where they meet some interesting people in their quest to discover some unique music. This story has a lot of heart, and I found the story wonderful. The only that hit weird with me was some things in the end that I felt took me too much out of the story, but overall, I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version of this book, and the recording isn't the best, but as the story progresses I enjoyed the listening experience. The narrators do other accents, which I think they both did a great job with, so in the end, I liked the listening experience.
September 22, 2018
Disclaimer: I love this author's writing and narration.
Jebby's life is rooted in the expressions of sound and is fulfilled by the fieldwork of the ethnomusicologist. Dodi's is all visual and finds that his career as an international photographer meets his need. They come together by means of that most unbelievable situation: coincidence.
The publisher's blurb can only give you a sterile view of the plot but not how moving and enjoyable it is. This author's writing always appeals to the senses even as the plot stretches the imagination, even more so when narrated by the author and with her choices of music interspersed as emphasis.
I requested and received a free audio copy via AudioBookBOOM.
Jebby's life is rooted in the expressions of sound and is fulfilled by the fieldwork of the ethnomusicologist. Dodi's is all visual and finds that his career as an international photographer meets his need. They come together by means of that most unbelievable situation: coincidence.
The publisher's blurb can only give you a sterile view of the plot but not how moving and enjoyable it is. This author's writing always appeals to the senses even as the plot stretches the imagination, even more so when narrated by the author and with her choices of music interspersed as emphasis.
I requested and received a free audio copy via AudioBookBOOM.
January 26, 2020
This was a really cool story. It was different than any I have read/listened to before. Jebby & Dodi have a chance meeting and it's anything but normal. The reader goes on a wonderful journey filled with the theme of music. This romance had me fully captivated. I actually found myself learning so much. And the way this author, who is also the narrator, told it really made me hang on. I can't get over how unique this story was. It's a breath of fresh air. I loved following Jebby through her different flash backs of Dodi and her who is anything but a stranger. This is the ultimate time travel story. When you read/listen clear your schedule because you will be hooked and every detail matters.
July 20, 2017
Very Unique - Not for everyone. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. This is an audiobook and story that is very unique written with music as the centerpiece, but is told from 1st person POV and then all of a sudden you will be drawn into a 3rd person POV story-line. It gets very confusing unless you are really into the stories and pay close attention. It's not a bad story or poor narrator performance, but if you're not into unique writing and story-telling you may not like it, so be prepared.
March 22, 2024
A unique romance novel
Jebby meets Dodi during a business trip. They become attracted to one another, but face challenges. Jebby finds her past intervening. They are uniquely diverse. They have a rich adventure. They have a beautiful romance. There are great musicians and international cast in their life. It's an enjoyable novel.
Jebby meets Dodi during a business trip. They become attracted to one another, but face challenges. Jebby finds her past intervening. They are uniquely diverse. They have a rich adventure. They have a beautiful romance. There are great musicians and international cast in their life. It's an enjoyable novel.
May 24, 2017
This is a clever and intriguing plot which engages the reader/ listener from beginning to the end . I was particularly absorbed by the detailed descriptions of other cultures, people and beliefs. Very interesting story.
I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for my review
August 13, 2017
Actually, it was an ok read for me but I love the vivid descriptions of the places and cultures so I bumped the rating up.
October 25, 2013
Music plays in the background of my life. Right now, I’m listening to the Dixie Chicks because it’s just that kind of morning. Usually I prefer Mozart while I’m writing, but today it’s my Indigo Girls Pandora station where like-tuned musicians play.
I don’t know much about music except that I love it in all its forms. I dabbled with the flute in high school and college—still have an old silver plated instrument high on a closet shelf somewhere. I sang in choirs all my life until I reached the ripe age of eighteen and flew out of the safety net of my home. I love music, and I like to sing to it in the car, shower, and at my desk while I work. I love to dance to good music, which I do at my dance class and occasionally in the aisles of the grocery store. Yes, music lifts my mood, inspires me, and allows me the freedom to soar above the mundane.
That’s only one of the reasons I loved Denise Kahn’s Split Second Lifetime. The story revolves around music, which sits at the core of the novel. Kahn’s writing is lyrical and magical. Her main character Jebby is a music ethnomusicologist, and she takes the reader on a journey of discovery of the music of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Jebby and her team are producing a series of CDs on native music from around the world. She meets Dodi on the plane to Paris before she embarks on her journey. The meeting is powerful, but the visions Jebby begins to see while on this journey are at once disturbing and intriguing. Those visions—set in the southwestern United States—haunt her as she attempts to figure out the connection. In Uzbekistan, it all comes together as she travels through the country with Dodi, her team, and escort.
Music creates the setting and influences the characters. Kahn’s descriptions of her surroundings are always at the forefront, whether in real time or in her visions of past lives.
The novel is rich in description, symbolism, and synchronicity. The two story lines—present day and past life exploration—eventually come together as Jebby continues her journey in search of talented musicians and soul-lifting music.
I recommend reading this book if you are willing to transport yourself into an adventure beyond what can be seen right in front of you. Kahn knows her music and her setting, and she combines it all with a creative touch in her writing. I loved this book and the writing. I’ve already downloaded her latest release, Obsession of the Heart.
I don’t know much about music except that I love it in all its forms. I dabbled with the flute in high school and college—still have an old silver plated instrument high on a closet shelf somewhere. I sang in choirs all my life until I reached the ripe age of eighteen and flew out of the safety net of my home. I love music, and I like to sing to it in the car, shower, and at my desk while I work. I love to dance to good music, which I do at my dance class and occasionally in the aisles of the grocery store. Yes, music lifts my mood, inspires me, and allows me the freedom to soar above the mundane.
That’s only one of the reasons I loved Denise Kahn’s Split Second Lifetime. The story revolves around music, which sits at the core of the novel. Kahn’s writing is lyrical and magical. Her main character Jebby is a music ethnomusicologist, and she takes the reader on a journey of discovery of the music of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Jebby and her team are producing a series of CDs on native music from around the world. She meets Dodi on the plane to Paris before she embarks on her journey. The meeting is powerful, but the visions Jebby begins to see while on this journey are at once disturbing and intriguing. Those visions—set in the southwestern United States—haunt her as she attempts to figure out the connection. In Uzbekistan, it all comes together as she travels through the country with Dodi, her team, and escort.
Music creates the setting and influences the characters. Kahn’s descriptions of her surroundings are always at the forefront, whether in real time or in her visions of past lives.
The novel is rich in description, symbolism, and synchronicity. The two story lines—present day and past life exploration—eventually come together as Jebby continues her journey in search of talented musicians and soul-lifting music.
I recommend reading this book if you are willing to transport yourself into an adventure beyond what can be seen right in front of you. Kahn knows her music and her setting, and she combines it all with a creative touch in her writing. I loved this book and the writing. I’ve already downloaded her latest release, Obsession of the Heart.
October 12, 2013
A Beautiful Quilting of Sounds and Images
Split-Second Lifetime by Denise Kahn is the story of Jebby, an enthnomusicologist, and Dodi, an international photographer. As a music producer who studies music from an anthropological viewpoint, Jebby is focused on sounds across the world. At the same time, Dodi's emphasis is on visualization and images. His life is focused on photography.
The resonating narrative voice is reminiscent of a "stream of consciousness" voice. As it crossed through time and global space, the voice wound its delightful way far beyond the traditional definition of "stream of consciousness."
The work reminded me of one of my dear grandmother's quilts. When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me stories about each colorful square of the quilt. "This pink square with white flowers came from the dress your aunt wore her first day of school." Each square represented its own story, meshed into the beautiful whole. As Jebby's consciousness flashes back and forth from present to past, the scenes are intermeshed like the squares of colorful fabric. The "flashbacks within the flashbacks," the wonderful visions which take us into another culture and time, and her travels across the world are all crafted together to form the amazing quilt of this masterpiece.
The author took on a panoramic project with her book. She did a magnificent job. While Jebby and Dodi learned about each other, I also learned more about other cultures and ways of thinking. At the same time, the writing style was lyrical, entertaining, and brought together images, sounds, flavors, and sensations.
The book even encompasses humor, particularly about the harvesting of "guano," which is bird droppings! The entertaining and unexpected puns made me laugh out loud with Jebby and Dodi.
I highly recommend the book.
Split-Second Lifetime by Denise Kahn is the story of Jebby, an enthnomusicologist, and Dodi, an international photographer. As a music producer who studies music from an anthropological viewpoint, Jebby is focused on sounds across the world. At the same time, Dodi's emphasis is on visualization and images. His life is focused on photography.
The resonating narrative voice is reminiscent of a "stream of consciousness" voice. As it crossed through time and global space, the voice wound its delightful way far beyond the traditional definition of "stream of consciousness."
The work reminded me of one of my dear grandmother's quilts. When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me stories about each colorful square of the quilt. "This pink square with white flowers came from the dress your aunt wore her first day of school." Each square represented its own story, meshed into the beautiful whole. As Jebby's consciousness flashes back and forth from present to past, the scenes are intermeshed like the squares of colorful fabric. The "flashbacks within the flashbacks," the wonderful visions which take us into another culture and time, and her travels across the world are all crafted together to form the amazing quilt of this masterpiece.
The author took on a panoramic project with her book. She did a magnificent job. While Jebby and Dodi learned about each other, I also learned more about other cultures and ways of thinking. At the same time, the writing style was lyrical, entertaining, and brought together images, sounds, flavors, and sensations.
The book even encompasses humor, particularly about the harvesting of "guano," which is bird droppings! The entertaining and unexpected puns made me laugh out loud with Jebby and Dodi.
I highly recommend the book.
September 18, 2013
Told by Jebby, who is a keen listener to music and perceives sounds from an anthropological viewpoint, this is her love story with Dodi, an international photographer. She meets him aboard a flight to Paris, and from the beginning he ignites some memories in her, memories of their passionate love in another place, another time, in a realm that exists beyond death.
Their adventure is thus a full complement of the senses—both visual (his) and musical (hers.) The flashbacks to another lifetime further enrich the story, as do the cultural overlays between a present day world and a world of the past.
I can appreciate how Jebby has sprung from the mind of this author. Inspired by her earliest memory, the sound of mother's glorious voice singing a Brahms lullaby, Denise Kan's writing is highly sensual. "Dodi's words were music to my ears and a symphony in my heart." Her work is further enriched by her exposure to different nations, as she describes details from foreign settings and cultures.
Five stars.
Their adventure is thus a full complement of the senses—both visual (his) and musical (hers.) The flashbacks to another lifetime further enrich the story, as do the cultural overlays between a present day world and a world of the past.
I can appreciate how Jebby has sprung from the mind of this author. Inspired by her earliest memory, the sound of mother's glorious voice singing a Brahms lullaby, Denise Kan's writing is highly sensual. "Dodi's words were music to my ears and a symphony in my heart." Her work is further enriched by her exposure to different nations, as she describes details from foreign settings and cultures.
Five stars.
August 10, 2013
This book is a beautiful tale which is seen through the eyes of Jebby. As she travels to some exotic locations which are described wonderfully by the writer, she has flash-backs to another lifetime. These flash-backs gradually come to mean more to her as she sees parallels with her own life and relationship with Dodi.
This is a clever and intriguing plot which engages the reader from start to finish. I was particularly absorbed by the detailed descriptions of other cultures, people and beliefs.
As a reader you seem to get the benefit of having read more than just one book by the time you reach the end of this novel.
A brilliant read!
This is a clever and intriguing plot which engages the reader from start to finish. I was particularly absorbed by the detailed descriptions of other cultures, people and beliefs.
As a reader you seem to get the benefit of having read more than just one book by the time you reach the end of this novel.
A brilliant read!
January 6, 2014
Split-Second Lifetime is a story that flows easily, as the author does an excellent job of smoothly transitioning between past and present. The author leads the reader to different cultures and customs, yet, as the personalities of the characters shine through, overall they seem to suggest that though we are all very different, we are also very much the same. The story proposes that history may truly have a way of repeating itself, quite possibly for reasons that are not always obvious. It is a beautifully written story that I very much enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews