Scan barcode
A review by ablotial
A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival by Melissa Fleming
4.0
I would never have known about this book, except for the World Economic Forum Book club that's on Facebook. This was the June book, though it took me a bit longer than that to finish (two kids, y'all).
The book started a bit slow for me, but I guess the author wanted you to have lots of background about Doaa and her family. This was interesting and I learned a lot about Muslim society in Syria (and in general) -- the traditions around dating, engagement and marriage were especially interesting to me -- but it was kind of slow moving (as life often is). Additionally, their lives were SO different from mine I found it difficult to relate, even if it does help me understand them a little better (which was probably the point).
But of course, by the end, I was bawling. And I was reading this at work during my time in the nursing mother's room, so I'd have to go back to see my coworkers with my eyes all red and makeup streaked a bit. Meh.
Did it help me understand the "refugee crisis"? Somewhat. I don't think I would have taken the risk in her situation, but who knows. It's impossible to say without my having to live it, which I hope I never do.
Doaa was strong, but also very lucky... if you can call it lucky to watch hundreds of people (many children) dying all around you. What kept her alive when others died? It's hard to say. The book points to stubbornness, but I don't believe stubbornness can really stand up to hypothermia and dehydration. I imagine that experience will haunt her for the rest of her days. Was it worth it? I wonder. But I hope the remainder of her life in Sweden is all she could have wished for, and that she finds safety and love.
The book started a bit slow for me, but I guess the author wanted you to have lots of background about Doaa and her family. This was interesting and I learned a lot about Muslim society in Syria (and in general) -- the traditions around dating, engagement and marriage were especially interesting to me -- but it was kind of slow moving (as life often is). Additionally, their lives were SO different from mine I found it difficult to relate, even if it does help me understand them a little better (which was probably the point).
But of course, by the end, I was bawling. And I was reading this at work during my time in the nursing mother's room, so I'd have to go back to see my coworkers with my eyes all red and makeup streaked a bit. Meh.
Did it help me understand the "refugee crisis"? Somewhat. I don't think I would have taken the risk in her situation, but who knows. It's impossible to say without my having to live it, which I hope I never do.
Doaa was strong, but also very lucky... if you can call it lucky to watch hundreds of people (many children) dying all around you. What kept her alive when others died? It's hard to say. The book points to stubbornness, but I don't believe stubbornness can really stand up to hypothermia and dehydration. I imagine that experience will haunt her for the rest of her days. Was it worth it? I wonder. But I hope the remainder of her life in Sweden is all she could have wished for, and that she finds safety and love.