A review by lou_o_donnell
Guantanamo Voices: An Anthology: True Accounts from the World's Most Infamous Prison by Sarah Mirk, Omar El Akkad
4.0
Guantanamo Voices by Sarah Mirk is a book which I sincerely regret postponing for so long. As I imagined, the read was infuriating and devastating. However, it was also beautifully illustrated with a clear narrative.
I worried in the opening chapter that the book may prove too basic in its facts; I am familiar with the questionable “detention” of individuals at Guantanamo Bay and how it came about. As we delved further into the story, it became clear that this refresher was essential for understanding the intent and consequences of the actions taken in the wake of 9/11 and its aftermath.
Telling the story of those detained at Guantanamo, those charged with guarding them and their lawyers, among others, each vignette reveals the injustices, the anguish and the failed patriotism that surrounds the compound.
Reminiscent of Palestine by Joe Sacco, the anthology is compelling - a fact evidenced by the fact that once I picked it up, I could not put it down.
I would encourage everyone to pick this up, whether Guantanamo Bay is familiar to you or not. It’s an essential read in 2020 as we place injustices across the world under the microscope.
Please note, I did receive an advanced copy of this book for review via NetGalley. While I appreciated the preview, this did not affect my overall review of the book.
I worried in the opening chapter that the book may prove too basic in its facts; I am familiar with the questionable “detention” of individuals at Guantanamo Bay and how it came about. As we delved further into the story, it became clear that this refresher was essential for understanding the intent and consequences of the actions taken in the wake of 9/11 and its aftermath.
Telling the story of those detained at Guantanamo, those charged with guarding them and their lawyers, among others, each vignette reveals the injustices, the anguish and the failed patriotism that surrounds the compound.
Reminiscent of Palestine by Joe Sacco, the anthology is compelling - a fact evidenced by the fact that once I picked it up, I could not put it down.
I would encourage everyone to pick this up, whether Guantanamo Bay is familiar to you or not. It’s an essential read in 2020 as we place injustices across the world under the microscope.
Please note, I did receive an advanced copy of this book for review via NetGalley. While I appreciated the preview, this did not affect my overall review of the book.