No words to describe this stunning new book from Khaled Hosseini. Inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis, this book is a prayer from a father for his son as they wait to board a boat. The writing is as heartbreakingly beautiful as the illustrations are evocative.
It begins with the father’s memories of the Syria before: “the creek where your uncles and I built a thousand boyhood dams.”
. . . moves into the reality of this generation’s Syria: “You know a bomb crater can be made into a swimming hole.”
. . . and ends with the sea: “how vast, how indifferent. How powerless I am to protect you from it.”
It’s a book that’s not easy to classify. Perhaps “an illustrated poem inspired by true events and intended for adults” is the closest I can get. In any case, it’s one of my favorite books of the year.
Part of the proceeds go to UNHCR, so go get your copy now.
Reblogged this on Shereen Malherbe.