It Was You

by Raed Slewa

After escaping the mental and physical abuse of life under Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime, Adam's dream of starting a new life in the land of opportunities has been realized. But his bloody past lives on as internalized scars of sadness, and Adam is held captive by them, unable to move on, ultimately attempting to take his own life.

After Adam's near miss with death, Jon, Adam's best friend, asks Adam to write a series of letters about the worst events that have ever happened in his life- a last-ditch effort by Jon to help his struggling friend.

Only for Adam to realize, as he reaches the end of his letters, what he has truly lost...

Genres: Fiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2020

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was based on real life events. It was a series of letters, wrote to a man's best friend. He tells of his and his family's experiences and struggles, as a Christian family, living in Iraq, during the time Suddam Husseins' power. At the end of each letter, he ends them with the same words to his friend, Jon. "Jon: I want you to smile. This was not the worst thing that ever happened to me." The story all comes together at the end of the book, with what became of him and his family and the answer to what the worst thing was that happened to him. Although it had a few grammatical errors, overall, it was a good story, that had me turning the pages, til the end. A quick read, that is both interesting and sad. Thank you for sharing this story, Raed Slewa and I hope you have a sense of peace now, in your heart.

This was a Goodreads First Read, in exchange for my honest review.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. This book really got to me, emotionally-speaking. Thankfully, it was relatively short and very easy to breeze through. However, I did try to take my time so that all of the stories could fully sink in. My heart was breaking for Adam, his family, and his friends. There were several instances in which I felt my heart physically aching because of the torture they all went through. If you want to read a book that will truly give you a different perspective on life, this is the book for you.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story detailing the fictional life of a boy growing up in Iraq during the 1990's. I don't usually get to here stories from this perspective so it was refreshing to see the world through a new POV. My only grievance was that the ending and "shock twist" was somewhat cheesy and highly predictable.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tugged at my heartstrings. Reading about Adam's life in Iraq and all the injustice and hardship his family endured, was sad. I enjoyed how the book was filled with hope regardless. Adam's dad says to Adam, "In this life, you must be prepared to lose everyone and everything at any time. Otherwise, you will always be sad and shocked." That line pretty much sums up the book especially in regards to the twist at the end.

Special thanks to LibraryThing's Member's Giveaway for this free book and the opportunity to read and review it.

[Kea4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow This is such a good book. I have to say I’m stunned because I was not expecting such an amazing journey.

The story shows you what it was like growing up in Iraq under Saddam Hussein as a Christian family in a primarily Muslim country. I don’t think many realize how hard it was during that time. The dangers for the entire family. The shortage of necessities and the additional hardships the Iraqi people had to deal with.

This is everything a book sure be. The buildup of the story. The characters. The main character of Adam is so likable. It breaks your heart reading how he tries to save up enough money for something like a small soda. Just image, the culture shock when coming to America.

I love how the story is broken apart so it does not overwhelm you with facts and details

The ending was just jaw-dropping. I was not expecting that at all.

Just outstanding.

I can highly recommend this book.

https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...

[Jane Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of young Adam’s life in Baghdad during Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship. An amazing novel about a young boy and his Christian Family, telling of the struggles, bullying, prejudices, the poverty, the air strikes and how their lives were affected by this War. Set in the 80’s the story was inspired by true events and real people. Adam talks about his strong bond with his family and the sacrifices they faced trying to escape for a better life. Adam spoke of his friends especially his friend Jon whom he would write letters too. At times the story tugged on my heart strings but I could not put this book down. The plot line is spectacular and is very well written.

I believe every teacher should have a copy of this book in their classroom. It can not hurt to learn the Cultures of this Country and the history.

I won a kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

Reviews posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads & Kindle.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the free kindle copy.
Well written.
Difficult to read because of situations.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most heartwarming book I have ever read, truly inspiring and gives you more perspective of how lucky we are living in a developed country. Something extremely different to be reading from a perspective of someone who has experienced the war in Iraq
100% recommend and cant wait to see if their is more to Adam and his families stories.

[Carissa Burks · Rating 4 out of 5]

(*This book was received in exchange for an honest review through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program.)

I know it's only March, but this book is definitely a contender for favorite book read this year. Was the writing 100% perfect? No, there were tweaks to some grammar I would make here or there.

However, overall, this book was fantastic. The story drew me in and I was able to read it in two days, taking it with me to work so I could read it on my 15 minute and lunch breaks.

It's a fairly easy read, although the content can be a bit heavy. The story is about a man recounting his life's story and the experiences he went through as a child through young adulthood to a friend who asked him to write about everything that happened to him that was horrible to see if really ending his life is worth it. The author takes you on a journey through Adam's experiences growing up in Iraq during the rise and regime of Saddam Hussein.

It gave me an understanding and appreciation for what life was like or might have been like for people over in Iraq during that period of time, a time in which I was a child myself. I always appreciate books that make me think and give me a perspective of someone else, especially when it is written well and has an engaging story line.

Overall, I feel satisfied and happy with how this book ended as well. Sometimes books have endings that just ruin the rest of the book, but the author ended this book well. Throughout the book he kept a unique writing style and carried his story until the end.

It's a definite recommendation for me if you're looking for a new book to go ahead and give It Was You a chance!

[Maryam Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was an emotional and heartbreaking one, but it was very interesting and educational to see this point of view and learn what it was like growing up in Iraq under Saddam Hussein as a Christian family. The book was a page turner for me. It was an easy read but there were a lot of emotions packed into this book. I grew fond of the different characters, some I loved, some I felt a deep sadness for, and yet others made me angry. There were some very sad parts in this book that tugged at my heart, and the unexpected twist at the end was a surprise. But this twist in itself really sheds light on what war does to a person and the mental issues that come about due to the intense stress, anxiety and abuse a person endures.

Thank you for this advance reading copy; I won this book from a Goodreads book giveaway! All in all, this book surpassed my expectations, and I loved this complex and heartbreaking story about the love of family and friends, war, anger, and so much more.

[Melissa Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book to read in exchange for an honest review on LibraryThing.

This book is a beautiful punch to the heart. It is inspired by true events and real people. It is heartwarming and moving on many levels. It allows the reader to peek into a different life in a war torn country (Iraq) and the strength and hope it takes to move forward and overcome. It provides a look at the dangers of what can happen when someone is given too much power and becomes a dictator and it is heartbreaking. The story is full of real human emotions— hope, fear, anger, love, etc. And I was not expecting the ending at all. Beautifully written. I highly recommend it. I am grateful I had the opportunity to read it. Sending much love to the writer.

[Linda McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a young boy, Adam, growing up during Saddam Hussein's regime. He is asked to write about the worst thing that has ever happened to him by his best friend or that's what he thinks. So he writes about growing up in Iraq, the struggles his family had with providing food and working to stay alive, while bombs are tearing the city apart. Adam faces struggles with his Christian faith because most that live there are Muslims so he is abused and treated like a dog. Adam tells of a bloody past and carries many scars and sadness. I really enjoyed this story. Loved Adam because he is a very strong person. The only issue I had was it has alot of typos in it. Thank you to the author and Goodreads for the opportunity to read and rate this book.

[Cat Roule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such a gripping story for teens and adults to understand the life of a Christian family in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship! This true story of Adam was both enlightening and believable as he writes letters to his friend Jon. Each letter ends with the haunting phrase “This was not the worst thing that ever happened to me.” which makes you want to immediately read on. In most "historical " works we only hear one side of a story, usually the national news version. But, believe me, this will without fail stick with you a long time to come.
I received a copy from the author through Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you so much for this copy. I am so sorry that you had to endure this. May God bless you.

[Elaine Esan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for this book. It was an emotional eye-opening read. I was aware of the brutality of Saddam Hussein, but I wasn’t aware of the level of persecution of the Christians. Using little snippets of Adam’s life in journal form was brilliant. It showed the horrendous conditions that existed in Iraq, but gradually built to such a level that I saw how much it permeated every aspect of the family life.
Adams’ family was amazing. Their love,support,and faith was inspiring. I loved the ending of the book. It was a perfect way to end Adam’s story.
I would love to read more about the family and how they each adjusted to their new “beginnings”.

[Michael Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have tried to stay away from non-fiction. Real life is so sad. Adam was about to commit suicide. He got a call from his friend Jon. Jon's call led us into a recounting of the terrible childhood that Adam and his Family experienced in Iraq. Being a Christian in a Muslim country is difficult. I remember the Saddam Hussein days from afar. Living through bombings and forced allegiance to the Baath Party are a far cry from growing up in a 'ghetto' in South Philly. In a way, the ending reminded me of Sixth Sense. Adam looked to the U.S as the promised land but the reality of life without government/religious restrictions is different. Sad story.

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book yesterday morning,, and I have to say... this book is amazing. I love and enjoy the imagery that the author shows in this book. I am currently on chapter 10 and I cannot put it down. It's an easy read and a fast one as well. I'm sure I'll be done reading all 250 pages by Monday! :)

It Was You's main character, Adam, is a very a likable character so I think people would seriously enjoy this book, since he is the one narrating and writing the letters. I would recommend this book 10/10 to anyone.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It Was You" is a wonderful book that I read in two days - only because I could not put it down!

The storyline tugs at the heartstrings and allows the reader to empathize with the main character. He has had an extraordinarily difficult life and flees in order to start a new one. With all the trauma he witnessed, it is hard to escape what he has lived though and he struggles to move on. Fortunately, he has a friend who is looking out for him!

Highly recommend!

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping read for teens and adults to understand life for a Christian family in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship! I found the age progression of Adam enlightening and believable as he writes letters to his friend Jon. Each letter ends with the haunting phrase “This was not the worst thing that ever happened to me.” which makes you want to immediately read on. I received a copy from the author through LibraryThing.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending of this book. It was something that I never saw coming. It was a very easy read because each chapter was an entry in a diary. This book is full of emotion, sadness, and optimism. It really makes you put your own life into perspective and realize that our lives here in the US are not that bad. I do recommend this book for anyone to read because it will open your eyes to what other people had to experience as a child. Great read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give the story a four for YA readers.
However, there are serious flaws with the writing. It desperately needing editing. There were too many distracting errors (word confusion, missing words, grammatical errors) to make reading the book seem anything more than work.
I would highly recommend if this author writes another book, especially one for self-publishing, that he also gets an editor. Simply getting it READY to publish would have gotten it a four from me?

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story about life in Iraq under Saddam Hussein is told in the form of letters written by Adam at the request of his friend, Jon as a means of self-discovery about Adam’s importance in life. I liked the format of the book because it was different and I definitely learned some things about what Iraq was like in the late 1990s. I would have liked more character development of Adam as well as Jon and the rest of his family and friends.
Thanks to the author for the Goodreads giveaway!

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Adam, a young Iraqi from a Christian family in Baghdad during Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship. It was really interesting and sad to read how life was for families during this time. Adam writes the story for his friend Jon and is about the things that happened to him during his life. I thought it was a really good book.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story allows readers to expand their awareness of middle eastern family's lives, giving insight into their customs and some of the difficult situations experienced. I'm being very generic here as I realize there are many nationalities under the "middle east" umbrella. I'd recommend this book to all, for this story now occupies some valuable real estate in my knowledge base.

[Ami E. Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very interesting book but full of grammar errors and typos, possibly because the author spoke English as a second language but their editor really should have noticed most of them. It was a short read and heartfelt. I won it in a Goodreads’ book giveaway; so many thanks for that. Happy reading, everyone!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching but wonderfully written about life under a dictatorship from the perspective of a young boy to his adult years. Strong family bonds, love, and perserverance desire for better lives prevail. The emotional toll adds up and shows itself at the very end. A very, very good read. High school and college students should read for real life under a dictator.

[Kathy Stibal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story told by the narrator as a young boy growing up in Bagdad during the war. Eye opening story about how people in this country were treated because of their religious preference. The ending was a sad surprise but made the book even better.

[Kimberley H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was insightful and heartbreaking. A story of growing up in times of war and dictatorship in Iraq. Seeing another side of life in another country. The pain, suffering, and loss that one endures. Well done and highly appreciated.

[Angela Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I love learning about different cultures in countries.I think this is a good book for people that want to do that. Plus it had a happy ending.

[Kayla Schlotthauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I won this copy in a Goodreads Giveaway.

A heart-wrenching read with a surprise ending! The first book I've read in a while that I didn't want to put down!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad book about Adam who grew up in Iraq and tried to escape that life! He writes letters to his friend, Jon, explaining his life from the age of six.