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Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph by Yusra Mardini
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.
anna_dn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
leselotta's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Very inspiring book that tells Yusras special story and really makes you understand her view - the cruelty of the war and how hard it was to flee as well as the difficulties of arriving in Germany and all the media attention. Its a shocking, moving and also fascinating story. Im so glad she uses her voice for the important message.
However, I think it could be a more political message since due to the media attention on her case, she would have (had) the opportunity to criticize migration and border policy. Also it might not be everyones favorite writing style (rather reporting like) but it seems and feels very honest to me which I appreciated and I think this is very valuable. I think many should read it and I would still definitely recommend it!
However, I think it could be a more political message since due to the media attention on her case, she would have (had) the opportunity to criticize migration and border policy. Also it might not be everyones favorite writing style (rather reporting like) but it seems and feels very honest to me which I appreciated and I think this is very valuable. I think many should read it and I would still definitely recommend it!
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars maybe? Incredible story, if not brilliant writing. Still, facinating to read about an individual experience of making that harrowing voyage. I admit, I've been one of those westerners that sterotyped the refugee experience as one rooted in abject poverty; and I've read a couple other memoirs in which that is the case. But, as Yusra reminds us over and over, the refugee can be anyone whose homeland is destroyed. I'm glad she had the opportunity to participate in the Olympics under refugee status and I hope she gets another opportunity in Tokyo. And just as important, I hope she continues to educate the international community about the lives of refugees and how we can better cope with shifting populations while keeping our humanity intact.
coreylanesmith's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0