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A review by theskyboi
No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Thank you to Book Club Favorites at Simon and Schuster for the free copy for review.
Documenting the essence of history as it truly happened befalls those of us with a keen intellect and a heavy heart; the stories most worth telling are the ones that require equal parts reflection and discussion.
For me, No Land to Light On reads somewhat like a modern-day Moby Dick. It is a story comprised of the story of human desire and resilience paired alongside scientific accounts of the migratory patterns of birds. As Sama and Hadi are separated by a travel ban that leaves them uncertain of their status as a budding family in the United States, chapters alternate between their courtship in Boston, their past in Syria, and their current dilemma across two continents.
At times too difficult to confront alone, the reality of insufficient measures for asylum seekers is at the forefront of this novel. For what I craved in terms of a solid resolution or more plot-driven scenes, this book was able to make up for in its approach to recording the effects of American policies on global affairs. Similarly, the candid expressions of doubt, frustration, and longing from the protagonists is definitely what propels the story forward.
Although I'm not certain that this book is for everyone, I know that its content is pivotal for both contemporary and future readers. History will be framed not only by the power players, but by the dreamers and writers who dared to pair fact with emotion.
Documenting the essence of history as it truly happened befalls those of us with a keen intellect and a heavy heart; the stories most worth telling are the ones that require equal parts reflection and discussion.
For me, No Land to Light On reads somewhat like a modern-day Moby Dick. It is a story comprised of the story of human desire and resilience paired alongside scientific accounts of the migratory patterns of birds. As Sama and Hadi are separated by a travel ban that leaves them uncertain of their status as a budding family in the United States, chapters alternate between their courtship in Boston, their past in Syria, and their current dilemma across two continents.
At times too difficult to confront alone, the reality of insufficient measures for asylum seekers is at the forefront of this novel. For what I craved in terms of a solid resolution or more plot-driven scenes, this book was able to make up for in its approach to recording the effects of American policies on global affairs. Similarly, the candid expressions of doubt, frustration, and longing from the protagonists is definitely what propels the story forward.
Although I'm not certain that this book is for everyone, I know that its content is pivotal for both contemporary and future readers. History will be framed not only by the power players, but by the dreamers and writers who dared to pair fact with emotion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Medical content, Police brutality, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Islamophobia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol