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The Northbound Journey to Paradise. Umar Usman's Epic Story of Survival on the World's Most Treacherous Route
Imagine being just a kid, facing the toughest journey on earth. That's the incredible true story of Umar Usman, who braved the unknown and made it to safety against all odds. His journey's a testament to hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. It's a story that'll leave you speechless and inspired.
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A Journey to the Promised Land: A True Story of Survival and Hope
summarizeEditor's Summary
I just finished reading 'A Journey to the Promised Land' from Waterstones, and it's left me feeling both heart-wrenched and inspired. This memoir tells the true story of a young boy who survived an unimaginable journey, and it's a testament to the human spirit's capacity for hope and resilience. The author's raw, unflinching account of his ordeal is both engaging and thought-provoking. I'll share my honest thoughts on this book, warts and all. The author's writing is engaging, and the book's design is a nice touch – the cover is sturdy, and the title stands out in bold letters. I'll discuss the book's annotation and what it's about in a bit. For now, let's dive into the good and the not-so-good aspects of this memoir.
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Anlatım8/10
Kitap_Dizaynı6/10
Kitap_Kalitesi7/10
Hello everyone!
I'm excited to share my thoughts on a book I recently read from Waterstones. The title caught my attention, and when I read the description, I realized it's based on real events. The author, a young boy who went through all this, wrote this book based on his own life story.
I'll share my honest review of the book in this post.
A Little About the Book 'The Path to Paradise: The Story of an African Boy Who Survived the World's Most Treacherous Journey'
I read the book in its paperback version, published by EKSMO in 2024. I liked the book's design – it's small but not too small, with a sturdy cover.
the path to paradise usman umar reviewsThe cover features the title in bold letters and a photo of a young boy who had to travel a long distance to reach his 'paradise'. I'll discuss the book's annotation and what it's about a bit later. For now, I want to say a few words about the book itself.
There's an 18+ rating, which I didn't notice at first, but it makes sense given the mature themes the author tackles, such as prostitution, violence, and substance abuse, without using explicit language or going into detail.
On the back cover, there's a description of the book, which you can also find on the Waterstones website. I ordered it from there because it was the cheapest option.
Path to Paradise: Umar's JourneyI was expecting a lot from the book's design, but it's surprisingly simple. The pages are thin and white, with no illustrations to speak of. The font is clear and easy to read, though – it's a decent size and not too small. Some of the pages have key points highlighted in bold text, which is a nice touch.
The book itself is tiny, weighing in at around 170 pages. And to make matters worse, there are some blank pages thrown in for good measure, so you won't be spending too much time reading it. I have to admit, it was a bit of a letdown – there just isn't much to the story.
So, what's the book actually about? What kind of journey did Umar embark on?
WHAT'S THE BOOK ABOUT?
According to the blurb:
This is an inspiring tale of the human spirit. It's the true story of an African boy's five-year journey to escape to Europe. Umar's childhood was far from easy – his mom passed away during childbirth, and he was forced to leave his home at just 12 years old in search of a better life. Along the way, he faced unimaginable dangers and challenges, but ultimately found a new home and some loyal friends.
To be honest, I had a different idea of what the book was about. And it all started with the tagline on the cover:
African boy survives the most treacherous route in the world
"We started with 46. Only six of us made it..."
I thought it was about a group of people from Africa who set out on a perilous journey to find safety and a better life. I assumed they'd faced some kind of disaster, and that's why only a handful of them made it through. But it turns out Umar's story is a bit more complex than that. It's still an incredible tale, but it's not exactly what I was expecting.
A Journey North to Paradise: Usmen Umar's StoryThis book isn't just about one guy's journey, it's about the whole life of Usmen. When he was 12 years old – or so the book says, but I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate, given that he didn't actually know his birthdate, and the village he grew up in didn't keep records of births. He might have been younger or older, but he was still just a kid.
Usmen's village was stuck in a rut, living by stereotypes and not knowing much about the world. They thought that just because people lived in white communities, they must be living the high life. Meanwhile, they were struggling to survive, with limited education and a tough life from a young age. It's no wonder Usmen was ambitious and wanted something better.
So, Usmen set off on a journey to find a better life, joining the ranks of other migrants who were seeking a brighter future. But what he found was far from paradise – in fact, it was even tougher than what he left behind. And to make matters worse, the country he was heading to wasn't exactly welcoming.
Fast-forward to the present day, and I'm still trying to process what I've read. I'll share my thoughts and impressions in a bit, but first, let's dive into the story.
My Impressions of the Book
As I read through the book, I kept thinking that all the events took place decades ago – perhaps in the early 20th century or the 1950s and 60s. I'm not sure why, but that's what came to mind. But as it turned out, the story took place in the early 2000s, which was a real eye-opener for me. It's shocking to think that such atrocities were happening relatively recently.
A Journey to the North in Search of Paradise by Usman Umar ReviewsFor me, it was a wild ride, but for Usman, it was a real-life experience he's had since he was a kid. He's been through stuff that would make even some adults question their faith in humanity. Despite his traumatic past, he's still managed to hold onto hope and find good people along the way. If it weren't for those good people, his story could've been very different, and we might not even know it today.
Usman wrote his book to raise awareness about the issue of African migration to Europe in search of a better life. He wanted to open people's eyes to the harsh realities of life in Europe, where things aren't always as sweet as they seem. He even went so far as to create an organization to improve education back home, so kids can learn what's what from a young age.
As for me, I was clueless, with a bunch of stereotypes and misconceptions about Europe. I thought it was just a short trip, and I'd be living large, with no worries about food. But reality had other plans. I had to take on a tough, low-paying job just to put food on the table. I wrote about how I'd eat my fill when food was available, because you never know when it might run out the next day.
A Journey to the North in Search of Paradise by Usman Umar ReviewsLife's tough lessons taught him a lot. Usman was brave, adaptable, easy to teach, positive – all these qualities helped him get through the tough times. He didn't waste tears, but instead, he learned to adapt. He writes about how adapting is key to survival. He also mentions how it was even tougher for the girls.
When I was in Libya, women didn't venture out in public without men. They dressed modestly, and it was considered impolite to even look at them, let alone talk to them. If a woman walked down the street with her companion, you'd have to cross the street to avoid her, and if you got caught staring, you might even get pelted with stones.
So when Uthman arrived in Europe, where women dress freely, move around without a chaperone, and can even strike up conversations with men, it was a real culture shock for him. But he was also able to adapt to these changes.
Uthman's Journey to the Promised LandI think Usman was lucky to have started his journey at a young age. At that stage, your brain is more malleable, and it's easier to learn and adapt. If he had set out as an adult, it would have been much harder for him.
Usman's story really tugs at the heartstrings. There were times when reading about his struggles was heartbreaking. Especially when he wrote about how others regretted leaving their homes and embarking on this perilous journey. They didn't realize what they were getting themselves into. Maybe they should have stayed put, after all. But without people like Usman, these inspiring stories wouldn't exist, and organizations like the one he founded wouldn't have been created. Life would just have plodded along, unaffected.
I think Usman himself sometimes wondered if he'd made a mistake by leaving home. But his experiences, his life, have been a source of inspiration, motivation, and a wake-up call to some of the problems we face.
FINAL VERDICT
I really enjoyed reading Usman's book, 'The Journey to the Promised Land: An African Boy's Story of Survival on the World's Most Dangerous Route.' Even though it wasn't what I expected, it was an engaging read, despite the sadness it evoked at times. If you're into true stories like this, I'd definitely recommend the book.
Thanks for checking out my review! If you found this helpful, be sure to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below!
Don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below!
Head over to my profile here to see more reviews. You can find my other reviews here.
I'd recommend checking out these other reviews:
Above the Clouds: The Inspiring Story of an Astronaut Who Conquered Everest
Wild / The Daring Adventure That Helped One Woman Find Herself
Maybe It's True? A Small Town's Secrets and Lies
Thin Air / The Everest Tragedy Told Through the Eyes of a Survivor
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What inspired the author to write this memoir?
The author wanted to share his story to raise awareness about the struggles faced by refugees and to inspire others to find hope in the face of adversity.
What can readers expect from the book's tone and style?
The author's writing is engaging and easy to follow, with a raw, unflinching account of his ordeal that's both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
How does the book's design contribute to the overall reading experience?
The book's design is a nice touch – the cover is sturdy, and the title stands out in bold letters, making it easy to hold and read.
What are the book's themes, and how are they developed?
The book's themes of hope and resilience are deeply moving, and the author develops them through his raw, unflinching account of his ordeal.
How does the book's annotation provide context to the author's journey?
The book's annotation provides valuable context to the author's journey, helping readers understand the cultural and historical context of his experiences.
What are some potential drawbacks to reading this book?
Some readers may find the author's descriptions of his ordeal too graphic, and the book's pace can be slow at times, making it feel like a slog.
Can readers expect a happy ending?
The book's ending feels a bit abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered, so readers may not find a traditional happy ending.
How can readers get the most out of this book?
Readers can get the most out of this book by approaching it with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the author's raw, unflinching account of his ordeal.
Is this book suitable for all ages?
While the book's themes are powerful, some readers may find the author's descriptions of his ordeal too graphic for younger readers.
check_circlePros
- •The author's writing is engaging and easy to follow.
- •The book's design is a nice touch – the cover is sturdy, and the title stands out in bold letters.
- •The author's raw, unflinching account of his ordeal is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
- •The book's annotation provides valuable context to the author's journey.
- •I appreciated the author's honesty about the challenges he faced.
- •The book's themes of hope and resilience are deeply moving.
- •The author's writing is relatable and makes you feel like you're right there with him.
- •The book's pace is well-balanced, making it easy to get through.
cancelCons
- •At times, the book's pace can be slow, making it feel like a slog.
- •Some readers may find the author's descriptions of his ordeal too graphic.
- •The book could benefit from more development of supporting characters.
- •The ending feels a bit abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered.
- •I wish the author had delved deeper into the cultural context of his journey.
- •The book's focus on the author's personal experience can make it feel a bit self-indulgent.
- •The book's themes, while powerful, can be a bit heavy-handed at times.
- •Some readers may find the book's tone a bit too emotional.
