Growing up can be a wonderful time, full of games, sunshine, and the safety of family. For a young boy named Suleiman, living in Libya in 1979, that feeling of safety started to fade. His days were filled with the normal joys of childhood – exploring ancient ruins, playing with friends under the hot sun, and receiving exciting presents from his father who traveled a lot for work. He loved those gifts, each one a little piece of a world beyond his own. But as the days went by, his nights became different. His mother started telling him stories, stories that felt old and sad, full of anger and hurt from the family’s past. It was confusing for him, like trying to understand a language he didn't know. He just wanted the familiar comfort of bedtime stories, not these heavy tales of bitterness and old wounds. It felt like a secret world he wasn’t meant to be a part of, a world that made him feel uneasy and a little scared. He remembers the way his mother's voice would change when she told these stories, the sadness in her eyes, and it made him want to curl up and disappear. He missed the simple, happy stories he used to hear, the ones that made him feel safe and loved.
Then, everything shifted. One day, Suleiman saw his father in a crowded marketplace. He was wearing sunglasses, which was strange, as he was supposed to be away on a business trip. It was a confusing moment, filled with a feeling of something being wrong. Why was his father there? And why was he going into that building with green shutters? It felt like a lie, a crack in the world he thought he knew. After that, things became even more unsettling. The ringing telephone started to sound like a warning. He watched his mother, frantic and worried, burning his father’s treasured books – a heartbreaking image of someone desperately trying to erase something. A stranger with unsettling questions would park nearby, watching the house all day. Even his best friend’s father vanished, only to reappear on television, being questioned publicly. It was a period of fear and uncertainty, where the familiar comforts of home seemed to disappear, replaced by a sense of dread and a growing awareness of a world far more complicated and dangerous than he could ever imagine. It's hard to describe the feeling of watching the adults around you, the people who are supposed to keep you safe, suddenly acting like they're living in a play, and you’re an audience member who doesn’t understand the plot.
This book is about that feeling, that disorienting experience of a child slowly realizing that the world isn’t always what it seems. It's about witnessing the private struggles and anxieties of adults, and understanding that even those closest to you can be hiding pain and secrets. It’s a story about loss of innocence and the slow, sometimes painful, journey toward understanding the complexities of the adult world. It’s a deeply moving portrayal of a child’s perspective on a frightening situation, told with remarkable sensitivity and a beautiful, elegant style. It reminded me of when my own children were young, and I tried so hard to shield them from the harsh realities of life. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, they see more than we realize, and it’s in those moments that we truly understand the weight of responsibility that comes with being a parent.
It’s a story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It's about a boy whose childhood, full of sunshine and simple joys, begins to unravel. He loves exploring with his friends, receiving gifts from his traveling father, and the safety of his mother’s bedtime stories. But those stories start to change, growing darker and filled with a sadness he doesn't understand. It's like a puzzle with missing pieces, a language he can't quite grasp. He just wants the familiar comfort, the feeling of being safe and loved. The shift is subtle at first, like a shadow creeping across a sunny day. Then, it becomes undeniable. A father’s unexpected appearance, a ringing phone that feels like a warning, books being burned – each event chipping away at the foundation of his world. It’s a time of unsettling questions and whispered anxieties, a feeling of being on the periphery of something important and frightening. The adults around him seem to be acting strangely, living a life he can’t quite comprehend. There's a sense of dread and a growing awareness of a world far more complicated than he ever imagined. It’s a feeling many of us have experienced as children, that moment when we realize the adults aren't always in control, and the world isn't always a safe place.
The true power of the story isn’t in the events themselves, but in the way it’s told through the eyes of a child. It's about the confusion, the fear, and the longing for the simple comforts of childhood. It’s about trying to make sense of a world that suddenly feels chaotic and unpredictable. It's about witnessing the private worries and struggles of the people you love, and understanding that even they carry burdens you can’t fully grasp. It's a beautiful illustration of how children perceive the world, and how deeply they are affected by the anxieties of the adults around them. I remember my own childhood, how I would overhear snippets of conversations, catch glimpses of worry on my parents’ faces, and try to piece together what was happening. It was a time of innocence lost, a slow awakening to the complexities of the adult world. It made me think about how much children absorb, even when we think they don’t notice.
It's more than just a story about a boy growing up in a difficult time; it’s a universal exploration of loss of innocence and the search for understanding. The author creates a world that feels both familiar and unsettling, drawing you into the boy’s perspective and making you feel his confusion and fear. It's a deeply moving portrayal of a child’s resilience and his ability to find moments of joy and connection even in the midst of uncertainty. It’s a reminder of the importance of protecting children from the harsh realities of the world, while also acknowledging that they are often more perceptive than we realize. It stays with you, prompting reflection on your own experiences of childhood and the complexities of family relationships.
Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
This is a touching story about a young boy experiencing a loss of innocence. It's a sad and confusing time for him as the world he knows begins to change. It’s easy to feel what he feels - that desire for the simple comforts and safety of childhood. The story is presented in a way that makes you understand his worry and confusion, even though you might not know all the details. It's a gentle and thoughtful book that will likely make you think about your own experiences and how children perceive the world around them. It’s a book that stays with you, a quiet reminder of the importance of protecting childhood and the power of a child’s perspective. It's a worthwhile read for anyone seeking a compassionate and thought-provoking experience.