This is a truly heartbreaking story of one couple’s struggle as Syrian refugees, as they attempt to make a new life in the United States. 

This was written in such a beautiful way, the storyline moves between past and present, and from Hadi to Sama. The chapters are also bookended by this beautiful literature about birds which stands to connect you to the feelings of a refugee. I highly recommend this story to people of any country, but especially those living in the West. The struggles of individuals, couples and families is so far deeper than we often realise. 


“It has been observed that birds feel a sort of pain before taking off.. similar to fear… and that nothing alleviates that feeling except the rapid beating of their wings.”