Wednesday, August 31, 2011

In the Sea there are Crocodiles

Boy, this was GOOD.
I lingered over breakfast this morning, so I could finish the last twenty or so pages. Then I had to sit a little longer to be able to swallow the big lump of emotion in my throat when I was done.
This is a novel based entirely on the true story of ten year old Enaiatollah Akbari from Afghanistan who wakes up in a strange place in a different country, to discover that he has been abandoned by his mother.  Thus, at ten, and very much alone, he begins his journey to survive.  The story is a frightening account of how a young boy makes his way in unfamiliar places, remembering what his mother taught him and recognizing good along the way.  I especially appreciated that the story was presented in Enaiatollah's voice, as many ugly and unthinkable things were made to feel somehow less hard; as if they were being discovered for the first time, through the eyes of an innocent boy.  I loved that the author was so taken by Enaiatollah's story.  He inserts his own voice periodically into the tale; recording bits of their conversations together, as if to emphasize the amazing things this boy has been through and overcome.  I was silently cheering and hoping for the best during the two quick days that I spent reading, but consoled myself (when I got worried) by remembering that he makes it.  It is his story, afterall.
The Italian author, Fabio Geda, meets Enaiatollah at a book presentation where he was speaking about his first novel, a story about a Romanian boy's life as an immigrant in Italy.  Enaiatollah approaches Geda and says that he'd had a similar experience.  In the Sea there are Crocodiles is the re-telling of Enaiatollah's story exactly as he tells it to Geda.  And it has been beautifully translated into English, which I am grateful for.  This goes right to the top of my favorites list for 2011.  
I found the book at the library; I plucked it off the shelf purely because the cover art intrigued me.  I hope your library has a copy too.

5 comments:

ellen said...

I'm always looking for a good read.

Doran & Jody said...

I didn't dare read too much of your review in case I read it. What did you mean his voice and another one. Did you also get it on CD? I will have to look this one up, however, I have FOUR books I have to get done in a couple of weeks. uh...

Darleen said...

Thanks for yet another book recommendation. It's at our local library and will be in my hands in the next couple of days.

Marla said...

Great book review! I'm adding this one to my too-read list. Thanks!

Marla said...

*TO-READ list!