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This is the book I'm reading right now---
Title: Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini
Book Beginning:
Friday 56:
Review: This precious, short prayer is from a father to his son. The book was written by Khaled Hosseini, yes that Khaled Hosseini author of The Kite Runner, and dedicated to the thousands of refugees who have perished at sea fleeing war and persecution. The father tells his son Marwan that he wishes he could know the beauties of his country, especially his grandfather's farm and the bustling old city of Homs where neighbors "haggle over gold pendants and fresh produce and bridal dresses." He tells his son he wishes he knew good things that he grew up with instead of the things the son knows, like swimming pools made out of bomb craters and starvation.
The father prays that the sea will spare his son, his most precious possession so he can make it to safety. the illustrations done in water color by Dan Williams give a dramatic feeling of the ravishes of war and the fury of the sea, yet the gentleness of the father and his memories.
Hosseini was inspired to write this book by the story of Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach safety in 2015. Since his death, at the time of publication, 4,176 others have died attempting the same journey. Proceeds of this book will go to UNHCR, the UN Relief agency and to the Khaled Hosseini Foundation to help fund relief efforts for refugees around the world.
Marwan was the name of a character in a French-Canadian film I love/hate. (Incendies, a tough movie to watch) I can't imagine the sadness of children growing up in war zones. Their childhoods are destroyed.
ReplyDeleteHere's a coincidence - my Friday post is about Hosseini's book - And the Mountains Echoed! He writes such heartbreaking books - Sea Prayer looks so sad, but a beautiful tribute too.
ReplyDeleteMargaret at BooksPlease
What lovely excerpts! Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “AN ANONYMOUS GIRL”
ReplyDeleteLovely and heartbreaking too. This week I am featuring A Murder By Any Name by Suzanne M. Wolfe from my review stack. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so lovely!! I have not read in prose before, but this is one I might. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe stories of refugees fleeing and crossing the Medieranean are devastating and harrowing. I've read a few accounts and novels in the past six months and each one is a punch to the gut.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intense but interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI need to read this author one of these days. :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings) + 50/50 Friday and The Nightmare Before Christmas Book Tag
I just saw this on the new book display at our local bookstore. Now I wish I had picked it up. Heartrending.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the words are beautiful. See what book MK is featuring at Girl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing a lot about this book - it sounds amazing! Nice to read some of the words from it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSue
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