Smells can be powerful, provocative triggers for memories, whether good or bad. The title of this book reveals this fact, but I wasn't prepared for the gut-wrenching tragedy of it all. We meet countless individuals in our lives, yet little do we know that each person is a central character in this world. It's difficult to imagine how everyone can be the centre of this universe, enduring tiresome days just to face the uncertainty of tomorrow. Amal and Hammoudi lead similar lives, separated by the veracity of their struggles amid a bloody revolution to overthrow an inhumane regime built upon a peace-fostering religion.            Author Olga sprinkles her narrative with dark humour and sarcasm, eliciting a painful smile as we read certain parts of this book. What is the purpose of all this? Why do we still aspire to live and persevere despite the pain and suffering that fate inflicts upon us from time to time? 'City of Jasmine' is a bold recounting of ...