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The Refugee Ocean
Two refugees find that their lives are inextricably linked—over time and distance—by the perils of history and a single haunting piece of music.
Born in Beirut in 1922, Marguerite Toutoungi lives a life of loss and sacrifice. She dreams of traveling to Europe and studying music at the Conservatoire de Paris but her family—and her society—hold her back. When she meets the son of a Cuban tobacco farmer at a formal dance, love transforms her life. Together with him, she flees across the Pacific Ocean. She’s hoping for a new beginning. Instead, she finds revolution and chaos.
Over fifty years later, Naïm Rahil is a teenage refugee from Aleppo, Syria. A former piano prodigy who struggles to thrive in America—and who has lost part of his hand in the war—he dreams of a simple, normal life.
Moving from Aleppo on the brink of civil war, to Lebanon in the late 1940s, to Havana during the Cuban Revolution, to the suburbs of Washington, DC, The Refugee Ocean grapples with what it means to be an immigrant, shows how wounds can heal, and highlights the role of music and art in the resilience of the human spirit.
Born in Beirut in 1922, Marguerite Toutoungi lives a life of loss and sacrifice. She dreams of traveling to Europe and studying music at the Conservatoire de Paris but her family—and her society—hold her back. When she meets the son of a Cuban tobacco farmer at a formal dance, love transforms her life. Together with him, she flees across the Pacific Ocean. She’s hoping for a new beginning. Instead, she finds revolution and chaos.
Over fifty years later, Naïm Rahil is a teenage refugee from Aleppo, Syria. A former piano prodigy who struggles to thrive in America—and who has lost part of his hand in the war—he dreams of a simple, normal life.
Moving from Aleppo on the brink of civil war, to Lebanon in the late 1940s, to Havana during the Cuban Revolution, to the suburbs of Washington, DC, The Refugee Ocean grapples with what it means to be an immigrant, shows how wounds can heal, and highlights the role of music and art in the resilience of the human spirit.
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First published October 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 3, 2023
The Refugee Ocean is a heartbreaking read but at times it's also quite moving and beautiful. I loved the way music played a role in this story and I was drawn to the characters from the get go.
The publisher synopsis covers a big portion of the plot but I don't think it's necessary to know so much before reading this book. The story opens with a teenage boy named Naïm who is living with his family in Syria in the year 2014. In a war-torn country, things like water and food are in short supply. The story also follows Marguerite who lives in Beirut in the 1940s and is engaged to be married. It is an arranged marriage her father set up to ensure the family business would stay afloat and Marguerite has no interest in marrying the man. She was accepted to a music school in Paris and she wants to follow her dream.
With the story alternating between the two characters, you put your faith in the author that there is a reason for letting everything play out in this manner. There are many takeaways from this novel but for me the strongest one was the meaningful connections one can have in life. Whether they are lifelong relationships or brief interactions, they have the potential for a lasting impact.
My only criticism is one small aspect of the ending lessened the overall story. Convenient is a word that comes to mind and as a reader that's not something I need or even want when finishing up a book. It was a big contrast to the rest of the story.
Don't let my tiny issue with the ending dissuade you from reading this book. Overall, it really is a powerful story and a worthwhile read.
Thank you Book Club Favorites for providing an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
The publisher synopsis covers a big portion of the plot but I don't think it's necessary to know so much before reading this book. The story opens with a teenage boy named Naïm who is living with his family in Syria in the year 2014. In a war-torn country, things like water and food are in short supply. The story also follows Marguerite who lives in Beirut in the 1940s and is engaged to be married. It is an arranged marriage her father set up to ensure the family business would stay afloat and Marguerite has no interest in marrying the man. She was accepted to a music school in Paris and she wants to follow her dream.
With the story alternating between the two characters, you put your faith in the author that there is a reason for letting everything play out in this manner. There are many takeaways from this novel but for me the strongest one was the meaningful connections one can have in life. Whether they are lifelong relationships or brief interactions, they have the potential for a lasting impact.
My only criticism is one small aspect of the ending lessened the overall story. Convenient is a word that comes to mind and as a reader that's not something I need or even want when finishing up a book. It was a big contrast to the rest of the story.
Don't let my tiny issue with the ending dissuade you from reading this book. Overall, it really is a powerful story and a worthwhile read.
Thank you Book Club Favorites for providing an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
October 14, 2023
3.5
The first chapter in Lebanon was weirdly timely and depressing. The drama at the beginning was propulsive in both story lines and the timelines merge in an unexpected way. Things wrapped up too neatly in the end for me.
Sometimes it felt like the book wasn't sure what it wanted to be, was it about a woman trying to find freedom in the 1940s who ends up living in the middle of two revolutions or was it about a boy with PTSD who didn't want to face all his losses? Neither gets developed in a satisfactory way for me.
The first chapter in Lebanon was weirdly timely and depressing. The drama at the beginning was propulsive in both story lines and the timelines merge in an unexpected way. Things wrapped up too neatly in the end for me.
Sometimes it felt like the book wasn't sure what it wanted to be, was it about a woman trying to find freedom in the 1940s who ends up living in the middle of two revolutions or was it about a boy with PTSD who didn't want to face all his losses? Neither gets developed in a satisfactory way for me.
September 2, 2023
Two different Refugees, and two different time lines, have a connection to any American women named Annabel. The story alternates between these two displaced people who left their home country under duress. The reader will not see a connection until the novel nears conclusion, but the individual stories will keep you interested. I finished the story with a renewed appreciation for being born when I was, and for being born into a middle class American family with stability and love. The ending was perfect.
September 26, 2024
I loved the first 2/3 of this book. But it’s structure ended up confounding me upon finishing it. We follow Naïm, a modern Syrian refugee, and Marguerite, an Arab Christian from Lebanon in the 1950s. They both share a love and talent for playing piano, and are denied that for differing but traumatic reasons. It’s a beautiful and compelling read. Their stories bounce with ping-pong chapters, progressing towards what feels to be some kind of inevitable intersection. But… This is where the book turned sour for me. A third character, tobacco model Annabel, is introduced and feels like simply a white savior plot device, because her arc is short and works simply to bridge the 2 main characters. We actually leave Marguerite’s perspective to follow Annabel at a crucial time, and I found it entirely unfulfilling. Naïm is robbed of agency and development. It really turned me off at the end. It’s a shame, it started off SO GOOD. Oh well.
Overall, still glad I read it. There’s a lot to chew on, particularly with Naïm, even if it resolved unsatisfactorily.
Overall, still glad I read it. There’s a lot to chew on, particularly with Naïm, even if it resolved unsatisfactorily.
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July 15, 2023I wanted so badly to like this book. Historical fiction, multiple timelines, characters that are connected in unexpected ways- all tropes that I usually enjoy. Unfortunately, this book left me unsatisfied. The first 50% earned a solid ⅘. I was enraptured by Fatima and Naim’s tragic refugee story. Marguerite’s story of trying to find independence while living through the French Mandate in Beruit was also very interesting.
However, the second half of the book lost me. I became concerned about how quickly the story lines were shifting and how this was possibly going to wrap up in a satisfying manner. Each storyline began to feel underdeveloped and rushed. I wish the author would have given us more about Marguerite’s life in Cuba before the revolution. I would have liked to know how her brother fared at the Conservatoire de Paris. How did Naim learn about Marguerite? For these reasons, it’s a ⅗.
Thank you to the author, Pauls Toutonghi, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review this ARC.
However, the second half of the book lost me. I became concerned about how quickly the story lines were shifting and how this was possibly going to wrap up in a satisfying manner. Each storyline began to feel underdeveloped and rushed. I wish the author would have given us more about Marguerite’s life in Cuba before the revolution. I would have liked to know how her brother fared at the Conservatoire de Paris. How did Naim learn about Marguerite? For these reasons, it’s a ⅗.
Thank you to the author, Pauls Toutonghi, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review this ARC.
December 17, 2023
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
While I did enjoy the book I found it to progress very slowly at first. It was hard to stay with the story as it jumped between the 2 very different storylines and time periods. I really liked followig Marguerite's story and her struggles to be her own person. The storyline of Niam however often left me confused and losing interest.
I became more interested toward the end of the book when you finally begin to see the connection between these two very different characters and time periods.
While I did enjoy the book I found it to progress very slowly at first. It was hard to stay with the story as it jumped between the 2 very different storylines and time periods. I really liked followig Marguerite's story and her struggles to be her own person. The storyline of Niam however often left me confused and losing interest.
I became more interested toward the end of the book when you finally begin to see the connection between these two very different characters and time periods.
October 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
The stories of Marguerite and Naim are woven together. Through learning the stories of their journey, we are introduced to Annabel, who has an impact on both of their lives.
Thank you for the ARC copy of this book, I will definitely pass it along and recommend to others.
The stories of Marguerite and Naim are woven together. Through learning the stories of their journey, we are introduced to Annabel, who has an impact on both of their lives.
Thank you for the ARC copy of this book, I will definitely pass it along and recommend to others.
October 1, 2023
This book explored the life's of two charecters who fled their country. I liked how even though the characters were from a different time frame, their stories connected through Mrs. Crandall.
August 16, 2024
This is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a while, and I think I’ll be thinking of it for a long time.
September 17, 2023
The opening chapter had me on the edge of my seat. Fatima and Niam's tragedgy was horrific and well conveyed on the pages. But quickly after that, the emotional aspect of this book was lost and I became more and more uninterested. There are two timelines, and they eventually come together, but I didn't like the drastic shift in the characters and stories took towards the middle of the book. I also found the ending nice, but maybe just a touch to tidy.
February 13, 2024
The Refugee Ocean
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Historical Fiction
🎶 Clair de Lune - Debussy
One sentence synopsis:
Dual timeline that focuses on two immigrants from Syria and the music that connects them.
My review:
I thought this book was good, if a little light on its real representation of refugee life. I think that it tried to toggle between a book about gifted musicians that just happen to be refugees and the hard life of a refugee too much and it didn’t really settle on either one.
I was mostly interested in the fact that both characters were immigrants from Beirut and Syria. I’m 1/2 Lebanese and a 3rd generation American so my great grandparents immigrated over around the same time as Marguerite in the book which I found interesting. But the book didn’t really go into their heritage much other than them being Arab.
I will say it did make me break out some classical music in the car for a bit after I finished it so that was a nice bit of inspiration. And the ending was very heartwarming.
Overall, this was nice but maybe not as epic as I had thought.
Side note, all the music in the book is played on the piano and if I had a piano in my house, that would be made the perfect photo. But I only have a guitar so that’s what you get.
Do you play an instrument? I played piano very briefly as a kid and guitar for a little bit in my 20s but I’ve forgotten all but one or two songs on each, sadly.
✨ Thank you @simonbooks for my #gifted copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Historical Fiction
🎶 Clair de Lune - Debussy
One sentence synopsis:
Dual timeline that focuses on two immigrants from Syria and the music that connects them.
My review:
I thought this book was good, if a little light on its real representation of refugee life. I think that it tried to toggle between a book about gifted musicians that just happen to be refugees and the hard life of a refugee too much and it didn’t really settle on either one.
I was mostly interested in the fact that both characters were immigrants from Beirut and Syria. I’m 1/2 Lebanese and a 3rd generation American so my great grandparents immigrated over around the same time as Marguerite in the book which I found interesting. But the book didn’t really go into their heritage much other than them being Arab.
I will say it did make me break out some classical music in the car for a bit after I finished it so that was a nice bit of inspiration. And the ending was very heartwarming.
Overall, this was nice but maybe not as epic as I had thought.
Side note, all the music in the book is played on the piano and if I had a piano in my house, that would be made the perfect photo. But I only have a guitar so that’s what you get.
Do you play an instrument? I played piano very briefly as a kid and guitar for a little bit in my 20s but I’ve forgotten all but one or two songs on each, sadly.
✨ Thank you @simonbooks for my #gifted copy!
January 9, 2026
the first half of this book has all the makings of a great novel but ends like a high school creative writing assignment. This book does have strong writing, which i always appreciate though. the book starts strong with captivating characters and story arcs and then... it stops. the latter half of the book gets lost in a meaningless conclusion and failed connection and hastily thrown together character overlap. all in all, this book wanted to be what "the wind knows my name" is (which did overlapping refugee storylines incredibly well, especially in a shorter novel). a stronger ending with a more consistent story line would have been a continuation of marguerite's life in cuba, observing revolution like she was observing the beginnings of war in lebanon, surviving the revolution because of her strong will and wit, and and becoming a refugee who starts over in the US, then dedicating her life to taking in refugees like naim. the integration of this aging tobacco model was confusing, not impactful, hurried and ultimately unsatisfying. the book has a satisfying disney ending in the epilogue, but it could have been a longer book with more complete build to its conclusion. overall, appreciate the refugee story telling given our current climate though.
August 1, 2024
This was beautifully written, following 23-year-old Marguerite from Lebanon as she seeks to escape her arranged marriage and violent father in 1948 and 14-year-old Naïm from Syria after he survives a bombing in 2014. Both of the protagonists here escape their circumstances only to struggle once they're "free" – Marguerite as a wealthy tobacco farmer's wife in revolutionary Cuba and Naïm as a high school student in the post-Trump American South – but despite the miles and decades that separate them, both are connected to a woman and a piece of music. I did find the connection rather thin...the story is absolutely tragic and haunting, but still kind of felt like a reach? Especially on Marguerite's end, though it does work if not perfectly so. I also thought Marguerite's story moved relatively slowly in comparison to Naïm's, as we see multiple years of his life fly by in only a few chapters, whereas Marguerite's journey before going overseas spans just a few days. There was more time spent exploring who she is as a person, her family dynamic, her country at this period of time and the expectations for women...but Naïm's felt so rushed in comparison and it felt like we never really got to know him outside of his immediate trauma. Still a great novel and would recommend!
August 5, 2025
This book was so unexpected. Maybe they could have made the cover a better depiction of this novel. It’s a historical fiction at its core - following two (then later three) main characters. A woman in 1920s French administered Lebanon (a part of history I had no clue about) who has three different paths in life she must choose from; accept her parents arranged marriage, accept her offer to a music school in Paris, or run off with a man she just met to Cuba. The second story is about a young pianist in 2014 Syria who has part of his left hand blown off from the war and his journey struggling to keep him and his mom afloat as refugees in the US. The third is a character you will meet later in the story.
I frankly thought I was going into the classic middle eastern refugee story (I’ve read a lot of those), and this was definitely not it. This was more attuned to The Lion Women of Tehran type book. Wish it had more reads. Sad it doesn’t :/. Part of me feels like it may just be the dark look of the book…? Recommend friends!
I frankly thought I was going into the classic middle eastern refugee story (I’ve read a lot of those), and this was definitely not it. This was more attuned to The Lion Women of Tehran type book. Wish it had more reads. Sad it doesn’t :/. Part of me feels like it may just be the dark look of the book…? Recommend friends!
October 17, 2023
I never write online reviews it's just not my thing. But I found this book to be so BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL and RELEVANT to the crises going on in our world right now. But it's also a beautiful work of art too. I bought it at Barnes & Noble where I just happened to see it on a Discover Writers table at the front of the store.
There are two characters and each of them are really moving emotionally and strong people. Marguerite and Naim are both refugees from one part of the world and they are both musicians but I really was surprised by all of the things that they had in common, despite being separated by almost 70 years. I don't want to spoil it but their stories came together at the end in America because of a third character. I thought that she was so interesting herself and I wish the author had put in more of her character too but overall just BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. I read this straight through and couldn't put it down.
There are two characters and each of them are really moving emotionally and strong people. Marguerite and Naim are both refugees from one part of the world and they are both musicians but I really was surprised by all of the things that they had in common, despite being separated by almost 70 years. I don't want to spoil it but their stories came together at the end in America because of a third character. I thought that she was so interesting herself and I wish the author had put in more of her character too but overall just BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. I read this straight through and couldn't put it down.
October 9, 2023
The Refugee Ocean is the story of Naim, Marguerite, and Annabel and how their lives were woven together by music. Swipe for a full synopsis 👉🏽.
It was a heartbreaking, yet lovely story. I’m not musically inclined, but I was still able to enjoy the beauty of how it was presented throughout the book. I was brought to tears very early on as it begins with tragedy, and also near the end. I’m torn on how I feel about the ending, though. It was wrapped up very nicely, which I don’t think realistically fit the devastation that was the rest of the story. But on the other hand, it was touching and nice after the all of the devastation and sadness. You’ll have to read it and let me know where you land!
I listened to the first like 85% on audio, and let me tell you, it was done SO well! 10/10 recommend. I finished the last 15% with the physical book. I really liked that method with this and will probably try to always do that with historical fiction.
It was a heartbreaking, yet lovely story. I’m not musically inclined, but I was still able to enjoy the beauty of how it was presented throughout the book. I was brought to tears very early on as it begins with tragedy, and also near the end. I’m torn on how I feel about the ending, though. It was wrapped up very nicely, which I don’t think realistically fit the devastation that was the rest of the story. But on the other hand, it was touching and nice after the all of the devastation and sadness. You’ll have to read it and let me know where you land!
I listened to the first like 85% on audio, and let me tell you, it was done SO well! 10/10 recommend. I finished the last 15% with the physical book. I really liked that method with this and will probably try to always do that with historical fiction.
February 13, 2024
I liked this book. I enjoyed the musical aspects, and wouldn’t have minded more of them. I also liked how the author wove together the stories and different timelines of first two characters, then three, fairly seamlessly.
I wish he would have told more if the whole story if the physical refugee journey, and not skipped over those parts.
There were several parts of the story where my heart went out to the characters (I will never forgive Marguerite’s brother, Michel) The last third felt a little disjointed and political when our setting switched to Cuba, and the ending was predictable, but I liked it overall.
I would also have loved to have a more in depth author’s note to learn how his family history ties into these characters.
I wish he would have told more if the whole story if the physical refugee journey, and not skipped over those parts.
There were several parts of the story where my heart went out to the characters (I will never forgive Marguerite’s brother, Michel) The last third felt a little disjointed and political when our setting switched to Cuba, and the ending was predictable, but I liked it overall.
I would also have loved to have a more in depth author’s note to learn how his family history ties into these characters.
October 19, 2025
It took me a minute to finish the book for the sole reason that I would spend hours lying awake at night, unable to let go of Marguerite and Naïm’s life experiences. I think this is such a timely novel, and although fictional, the stories of the people within are profoundly important.
Overall rating: 5/5.
bonus insight: I cried a lot reading this book but nothing can match how much I cried when finishing the book AND then seeing the dedication the author’s cousin — MARGUERITE
Overall rating: 5/5.
bonus insight: I cried a lot reading this book but nothing can match how much I cried when finishing the book AND then seeing the dedication the author’s cousin — MARGUERITE
November 11, 2023
Being a music teacher, I looked forward to receiving my advanced copy- and thank you very much! Toutinghi hit my heart strings🎶 with all the emotions that a music piece can evoke - anticipation, sadness, joy, empathy etc. music is universal across cultures. And in the end, it gave Marguerite peace, knowing her music would live on in the world.
We hear awful news everyday, but through this news channel, we can’t know the absolute devastation and havoc that plays out on the family victims - absolutely innocent lives that just happen to be living in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The historical fictions are one of my “lifelong learner tools” - the inside story - the tales passed down through the ages - a lesson in history.
Thank you.
We hear awful news everyday, but through this news channel, we can’t know the absolute devastation and havoc that plays out on the family victims - absolutely innocent lives that just happen to be living in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The historical fictions are one of my “lifelong learner tools” - the inside story - the tales passed down through the ages - a lesson in history.
Thank you.
July 9, 2023
3.5 stars
October 11, 2023
Two refugees find their lives linked over time and distance and a single piece of music. Marguerite lives in Beirut, she dreams of a life studying and performing music. Marguerite’s father has other plans for her , including an arranged marriage. Dreaming of her own life, she meets Adolfo and flees the country for the hope of love. Naim is from Syria. He is a former piano player, who lost part of his hand and family in a bombing. He flees to America. This a beautifully written historical fiction of two refugees finding their way.
Thank you @simonbooks #simonbooksbuddy #freebooks #bestestbookclubever #historicalfiction #simonandschuster
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Thank you @simonbooks #simonbooksbuddy #freebooks #bestestbookclubever #historicalfiction #simonandschuster
https://instagram.com/bestestbookclub...
July 12, 2025
The only reason this didn’t get five stars is because it took me a long time to get into. I maybe wasn’t in the correct headspace, but wow. A great book.
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September 28, 2023Emotionally poignant. It was easy to connect with the main characters throughout the book, and each created opportunities for personal reflection or memories. The pace of narrative was maintained throughout the book, and I finished it in 2 days. I'll be recommending it to my bookish friends!
January 26, 2024
This book was beautiful. The way she writes about music really captures how it feels to be lost in a piece, to let your emotions bleed through the notes and lines. It was so sad and made me more aware of what other people go through in war torn countries. It was heavy and emotional, and so we5ll written.
June 22, 2024
Stunning, beautiful, timely and timeless.
January 26, 2024
It’s rare a book makes me cry, but this one did it. The author does an amazing job describing the character’s emotions that you feel them yourself. It’s a haunting, heartbreaking story but also makes you feel a sense of peace at the end.
February 12, 2025
3.5, well written
September 20, 2023
Gorgeous! From the moment a teenage boy from Syria is seriously wounded and flees with his mother to the uncertain, unfair life of a refugee to Marguerite, living in Beirut with a father who would crush her spirit and hopes for any independence besides marrying … this story is heartbreaking and beautiful and ultimately comes together
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March 26, 2024Felt like a few disparate stories haphazardly thrown together with no through line
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews