Omar El Akkad’s most recent book, What Strange Paradise, has been shortlisted for CBC Canada Reads 2022—first released in July 2021 by the Knopf Publishing Group, What Strange Paradise introduces readers to Amir, a young refugee trying to survive.
CW/TW: racism, sexism, death
Synopsis from Goodreads
More bodies have washed up on the shores of a small island. Another overfilled, ill-equipped, dilapidated ship has sunk under the weight of its too many passengers: Syrians, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Palestinians, all of them desperate to escape untenable lives back in their homelands. But miraculously, someone has survived the passage: nine-year-old Amir, a Syrian boy who is soon rescued by Vanna. Vanna is a teenage girl who, despite being native to the island, experiences her own sense of homelessness in a place and among people she has come to disdain. And though Vanna and Amir are complete strangers, though they don’t speak a common language, Vanna is determined to do whatever it takes to save the boy.
Positives
The author describes the fear and confusion Amir and Vanna are experiencing throughout the novel so that you can feel it and understand it.
Negatives
While an important character, Colonel Kethros seems to get more attention and background story than I would have liked. Why not spend more time on Vanna or Amir?
My Opinions
What Strange Paradise examines what refugees face when deciding to flee their current situations. Through many discussions on the boat, you get a glimpse at the expense and personal loss they face while trying to change their lives for the better.
What Strange Paradise is a dual timeline story about Amir’s fight for survival. The Before chapters tell of Amir’s life before his arrival on the island. At the same time, the After ones are about the events after his arrival.
There’s no true setting for the book. Many of the Before chapters are set on the boat carrying the refugees, and the After chapters are on the island. But no locations are specifically mentioned, which leaves it all to the reader’s experience. There is talk of the refugees being from Syria, Egypt, and other parts of Africa and the Middle East. And in one instance, there is mention of Alexandria. These few mentions lead you to believe the island is part of Greece.
What Strange Paradise has been shortlisted for CBC Canada Reads 2022. And I will be interested to see how it fares against the other four books. For my initial thoughts on the list, visit my announcement post.
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.
What a fascinating book. I think its so important to hear the stories of refugees! Nice review.