This is Not love

by Vahe Berberian

In This Is Not Love, Vahé Berberian crafts an unflinchingly raw portrait of a man at the precipice of obsession, self-discovery, and disillusionment. Julian, a world-weary painter in his fifties, lives a life steeped in art, solitude, and carefully guarded secrets – until he encounters Kylie, a young woman whose presence reignites both his passion and his inner turmoil.

Their tumultuous relationship transcends the boundaries of mere love, challenging Julian’s sense of identity and forcing him to confront his own past and destructive tendencies. As Julian becomes increasingly entangled in his feelings for Kylie, he grapples with the ghosts of former lovers, a dangerous gift of wishing harm, and the haunting realization that he may never truly know himself.

Through evocative prose and dark humor, Berberian explores themes of desire, identity, and the perilous line between creation and destruction, making This Is Not Love a mesmerizing, unsettling tale of one man’s descent into the chaos of his own heart.

168 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2025

Reviews

[Tony Jefedjian]

Another masterpiece from Vahe

In the past month I've read three of Vahe's books, Letters from Zaatar, In the name of the father and the son and now This is not love, every time I think this is his best work, he goes and surprises me by how good his next book is, this is another can't put down must finish it masterpiece. Read it in two sittings and thoroughly recommend it

[Vicken B.]

A great opus from Vahé Berberian full of intensity and creative crafting.
You will never be able to leave this book the way you started reading it.
Thank you Vahe

[RCH]

Vahe Berberian’s writing is raw and unapologetic, yet beautiful and poetic, capturing the emotional highs and lows Jules experiences. As you immerse yourself in the story, you can feel every ounce of Jules’ inner turmoil—his yearning, struggles, and frustration. Berberian’s vivid writing draws you in so completely that you experience Jules’ passion and desperation as if they were your own. The novel’s honesty, combined with Berberian’s sharp insight into the human condition, makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read.