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theaceofpages 's review for:
The Pianist of Yarmouk
by Aeham Ahmad
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
In this memoir we follow Aeham Ahmad, the son of Palestinian refugees living in Syria and a skilled musician as he flees a war torn Syria for safety in Germany.
I loved the early chapters that showed what life was like in Yarmouk before the violence began. Ahmad did a wonderful job showing us what life and the sense of community were once like before it was destroyed. Maybe it wasn't always easy, but there was a sense of hope. It was beautiful to read and did a great job of increasing the sorrow the reader feels at him losing his home. Although it often doesn't go into extreme detail, he manages to capture the constant fear and desperation that he, his family and community faced. This and his family's attempts to escape were an emotional read. The audiobook contains piano music and singing between chapters which I felt added top the experience.
I think this story is particularly relevant today, not only to the ongoing state of affairs in Syria, but that in Palestine too. And the general warfar and violence spreading across the Middle east and other parts of the world. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in what life was like for those who fled war in their home country. Especially for music lovers since it touches on how healing Ahmad found his music, but really anyone since you don't need an appreciation of music to be able to appreciate his story.
I loved the early chapters that showed what life was like in Yarmouk before the violence began. Ahmad did a wonderful job showing us what life and the sense of community were once like before it was destroyed. Maybe it wasn't always easy, but there was a sense of hope. It was beautiful to read and did a great job of increasing the sorrow the reader feels at him losing his home. Although it often doesn't go into extreme detail, he manages to capture the constant fear and desperation that he, his family and community faced. This and his family's attempts to escape were an emotional read. The audiobook contains piano music and singing between chapters which I felt added top the experience.
I think this story is particularly relevant today, not only to the ongoing state of affairs in Syria, but that in Palestine too. And the general warfar and violence spreading across the Middle east and other parts of the world. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in what life was like for those who fled war in their home country. Especially for music lovers since it touches on how healing Ahmad found his music, but really anyone since you don't need an appreciation of music to be able to appreciate his story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, War
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Torture, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Gun violence includes bombs