Reviewed by readingwithwrin on
"The story of displacement and loss is woven into the fabric of human history. One day it's them, the next day it's you. But as generations pass, most forget that their people, too, have suffered. Some, though, still holds the empathy in their souls. But others choose not to, they choose to help themselves before helping others. Those are the souls who never find true happiness. Their hearts are never full."
I feel like we should start off this review by saying that I actually teared up multiple times while reading and that doesn't normally happen for me. This book was so realistic and heartbreaking and now going to be the book that I recommend to everyone. So please go and get this book from a store or the library it doesn't matter and read it. You will learn so much and really see how many lives you can change in an instant.
A Land Of permanent Goodbyes is narrated by Destiny and follows two different people. Tareq who is a Syrian whose family is forced to leave after a tragedy happens and their journey through the middle east to get to safety. Then we have Alexia who is an American college student who is volunteering and helping refugees as they make it to Greece.
"When your soul feels too much, that trauma makes a home in your heart. But it's not a weakness or even an illness. To feel so much means you can find empathy - when you can sense the pain of others, that is a power to hold on to. That is a power that can change the world you live in. But it's also a power that comes with a burden and pain."
Tareq's family is very close and they feel somewhat safe even though a war has greatly changed their lives and has caused many nightmares and heartbreaks. Tareq is the oldest child and because of that helps out the most with his younger siblings and keeping track of them. This is a big thing once tragedy happens and his family is separated and he has to find them again. His being the oldest also means that he has a responsibility to help out more and hide what is happening from his younger siblings all while trying to help his dad make it out of the Middle East safely. The journey Tareq's family goes on is terrifying and realistic and really made me think about what is happening in the middle east and how many lives it is affecting and changing. There were so many times on this journey that I teared up and was so nervous for his family that I had to keep reading no matter what else was going on.
"I hope you will provide the warmth, be that helper, do what you can to make that world a better place. Because when I meet you- and I will- there will be a reckoning. There always is."
Alexia's story was also one that really showed how people are helping and how much help is still needed. I also loved how much she cared and wanted to truly help and wasn't there just to say she had done it. She cared about every person that she met and the losses that happened she felt and she wanted to be doing so much more as well.
"Please don't be scared of us. We are more terrified of your reactions. We are broken people who are haunted by our past, our futures and our dreams. We narrowly escaped death, the war, the rapes, the murders and the killers - we have family who didn't- please don't think those monsters represent us."
I'm honestly so so afraid of giving spoilers (because I want to talk about everything that happened in this book with someone) so I'm not going to say anything more about this book. Except please read it! Side note: I loved the Mr. Roger's reference and how it is still so so relevant in today's world.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 18 December, 2017: Finished reading
- 18 December, 2017: Reviewed