It was so gratifying to finally read a novel that sheds light on the hardship of Syrian refugees. The author shares the trek of two young girls, one who begins her journey in modern-day Syria, and the second who begins her journey as a young apprentice to the ancient map-maker, Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi. With a deft intertwining of story lines, Zeyn Joukhadar takes readers on an odyssey that is visually stunning, historically illuminating, and immediately eye-opening. The novel is such an important read, especially considering the current-day situation we only hear about on the news. It gave clear insight into the disheartening realities that refugees face on a daily basis as they attempt to find a better life for themselves and their families. Joukhadar did a phenomenal job in humanizing people who are simply trying to survive, and made my heart break as I realized the very immediate danger so many human beings face in this world. And yet, here we sit as pampered Americans, disparaging these unfortunate human beings, who are in such despair that all they long for is to feel safe once again.
My compliments to the author on a very impressive debut novel!
Read 8/2/19
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