A review by virginiaduan
Between Two Worlds by Zainab Salbi
4.0
This was a hard book to read. First of all, I hate reading sad books full of suffering - particularly if it is true. Second, throughout the entire book until Salbi's journey to the US, I felt a constant dread as I read about her life. I trust that is just a small taste of her constant fear while growing up in the shadow of Saddam Hussein. Third, I read far too much about rape and war and horrendous suffering. I do not know why I am still astonished at the evil that goes on in this world and how truly oblivious I am to most of it. I am grateful and ashamed.
I am glad to have read this book - if only to bear witness to Salbi's story. I never realized just how similar Salbi's privileged childhood in Iraq resembled life in the US. I always assumed that Iraq has always been backwards and war-torn. How arrogant and stupid that view seems to me now. (Not that I am an expert by any means on Iraq now.)
It pains me to have read this and to now hold these stories within me. But I also witnessed beauty and the triumph of Salbi, her healing, and the shining love of Salbi's mother and father and brothers.
Once again, I am grateful that my life is so easy and good and full of joy. I pray that my children and I will never experience the depth of pain and suffering that Salbi and her people have.
I am glad to have read this book - if only to bear witness to Salbi's story. I never realized just how similar Salbi's privileged childhood in Iraq resembled life in the US. I always assumed that Iraq has always been backwards and war-torn. How arrogant and stupid that view seems to me now. (Not that I am an expert by any means on Iraq now.)
It pains me to have read this and to now hold these stories within me. But I also witnessed beauty and the triumph of Salbi, her healing, and the shining love of Salbi's mother and father and brothers.
Once again, I am grateful that my life is so easy and good and full of joy. I pray that my children and I will never experience the depth of pain and suffering that Salbi and her people have.