“A brilliant combination of geopolitics and family history... eloquently exploring grief, resilience, and loss. [Malek] is a deft reporter and storyteller.”

— Publisher's Weekly (starred review/Pick of the Week)

“Malek’s powerful memoir beautifully captures the history of her family and of their country... allowing readers insight into the personal stakes of the ongoing war”

— Booklist (starred review)

"A necessary, conscious corrective... [Does] what hasn't been done often enough thus far--wrest back the story of Syria for ordinary Syrians, showing us a place that has been lost and that most of the world never knew. [A] remarkable book.”

— BookForum