Review | The Map of Salt & Stars

Title: The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar

Date Published: May 1st, 2018

Dates Read: September 19th - 23rd, 2021

Current Goodreads Rating: 3.91/5

Of all the books I've read this year (aside from maaaaaayyyybe A Little Life) this book probably hit me the hardest. It's one thing to see the stories of Syrian refugees fighting their way to survival, but to read an incredibly up close and personal story told from the point of view of a young girl added just another visceral element to an already difficult story. I encourage you to give this book a chance and give it a read. I can guarantee you'll finish it with a slight ache in your heart and a new perspective on those who are less fortunate.

Ok, so what happens? It's 2011 and Nour is still reeling from the death of her father. In order to escape the memories of her husband, Nour's mother packs up her family (Nour and her two sisters) and moves across the world to Syria to be closer to family. It is there that tragedy strikes. A shell destroys Nour's house as they are sitting down to dinner and sets off a trek across seven different countries to safety in North Africa.

Alongside Nour's modern day journey, she recalls a story her father once told her. The story of Rawiya, the apprentice to al-Idrisi, the renowned mapmaker. Rawiya's journey is identical to Nour's and their struggles are eerily similar. Drawing power from Rawiya's story as well as the strength of her sisters, mother, and all the things she lost along the way Nour's story is one that will stick with you years after you've put the book down.

Ok, so what did I think? This book is heartbreaking in so many ways. Nour, a girl who has already lost so much in the death of her father, continues to lose those closest around her and the safety and comfort she had grown up with. I think Joukhadar did such a great job writing the utter confusion in those first few minutes after the shell drops and continues to write beautiful passages about the struggles Nour's family has to endure.

This book isn't some Hollywood adapted version of the Syrian refugee crisis where some muscly white guy from America swoops in and brings them to safety, but a story that feels real from the beginning. There is no plot armor for any character aside from Nour because the danger in their trek from Syria to North Africa is full of dangers. Trigger warnings for those who need them - her eldest sister is assaulted and nearly raped in the confusion after the blast and almost dies as a result of shrapnel. Probably the most heartbreaking character of all is the man Nour considers to be a second father. Most of the story leading up to the blast discusses the fact that he has not reconciled with his son and you hope that, after the blast, he and his son will find each other with a new perspective on what it is to lose those you love, but as I said - no character has plot armor.

This photo of Syria was taken from a History article which details all of Syria's complicated history. Click the picture to learn more.

Alongside this harrowing tale of danger, Nour tells the reader the story of Rawiya - a girl who joins mapmaker al-Idrisi disguised as a boy to travel the world and help al-Idrisi create an accurate map for King Roger II of Sicily. She travels the same path that Nour does and faces many of the same dangers as well as some that are out of this world. It's easy to see how Rawiya's story overlaps with Nour's especially in how the two young girls draw their courage in times of fear and how they learn to continue on despite the odds stacked against them.

Several of the other reviewers on Goodreads have said that this book is a great wake up call to those who don't quite understand the perspective of Nour and I wholeheartedly agree. I cannot even imagine fighting my way across the United States let alone across several war torn countries. I think many people could benefit from reading this story or stories like this especially in this time of year.

Long Story Short:

• Everyone needs to read more diverse books

• Everyone needs to figure out how to step outside of their bubble

• Just read this freaking book.

My Rating: 4/5