“Khalifa’s novel compellingly tackles the strain of responsibility felt by a man in war-torn Syria . . . serves as a reminder of the devastation of war and the power of integrity.”
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
This is the story of the death of the Father and his offspring attempting to carry out his dying wish.
Abdel Latif is a freedom fighter who fights against the government forces of Syria. He is older now, becomes sick and is returned home by his comrades to die. Bolbol, one of his sons takes him in and he passes away in his care. His dying wish is to be buried next to his sister in the family plot in a small town called Anabiya. The problem is to get there they have to pass through government held land which present a problem as the civil war still rages all around. He contacts his older brother, Hussein,who has been estranged from the family for years, and his sister Fatima to help him and they both quickly agree.
The rest of the book is the story of trip to bury their Father. The trials and tribulations they go through, some horrific, some sad, and some just outright funny.
The book is a quick read at 180 pages and the story always holds your interest. The story of the Fathers life is told in flashbacks, and many families have siblings who,don’t always see eye to eye so to is easy to imagine what will go on here.
Highly recommended.
Reviewed by:
Richard Franco
Added 7th May 2019
