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Reviews
Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph by Yusra Mardini
anjanjanja's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
encgolsen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
I read this for a book club, and while it was not something I would have picked up on my own, it was definitely a powerful and memorable read. Yusra Mardini was 17 and a competitive swimmer in Syria when the war started and she lost her home. She and her sister Sara made the long journey to Berlin via Istanbul, including a perilous trip by dinghy from Izmir to the Greek island of Lesbos. She tells the story of her journey in simple language, in a way that makes the reader feel as if they were on the journey with her. While she ultimately makes it to the Olympics, her decision to embrace her role as a voice for refugees is the pivotal point in her journey. A poignant and sadly necessary reminder that refugees are human beings who just want to pursue their dreams in safety.
tessadehart's review against another edition
4.0
Yursa Mardini’s book is an eye-opening and inspirational story of her journey growing up in Syria, becoming a refugee and traveling from her home to Germany, and finally achieving her childhood dream and becoming an Olympian.
I am very happy that I decided to read this book. It gave me a better understanding of what being a refugee means and what people face when they are forced from their homes for any number of reasons. I appreciate Yursa’s honesty and emphasis on her story being one of many unique experiences. She discusses many times how lucky she is to have had the help and opportunities she did and that for many other refugees that is not the case.
Yursa’s story is far from finished, it is clear that she will continue to be a loud voice advocating for refugees and she will continue to push towards her own personal swimming goals.
This story was engaging, intense, and has inspired me to learn more about refugees, their stories, and how to help. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to hear unique stories from around the world and build an inclusive global community.
I am very happy that I decided to read this book. It gave me a better understanding of what being a refugee means and what people face when they are forced from their homes for any number of reasons. I appreciate Yursa’s honesty and emphasis on her story being one of many unique experiences. She discusses many times how lucky she is to have had the help and opportunities she did and that for many other refugees that is not the case.
Yursa’s story is far from finished, it is clear that she will continue to be a loud voice advocating for refugees and she will continue to push towards her own personal swimming goals.
This story was engaging, intense, and has inspired me to learn more about refugees, their stories, and how to help. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to hear unique stories from around the world and build an inclusive global community.