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Letter Home
The true story of a British woman married to a Kuwaiti during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 4, 2023
Been wanting to read this for so long!
It’s like reading a diary rather than a “letter” or a story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it so much.
I wasn’t born during the Iraqi invasion but it’s heart-wrenching for me to read about it.
It’s like reading a diary rather than a “letter” or a story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it so much.
I wasn’t born during the Iraqi invasion but it’s heart-wrenching for me to read about it.
June 3, 2023
Read it for a book internship. Was still a wonderful read. Letter Home not only captures the growing fear of a foreigner during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait- but it also shows the strength and perseverance needed to survive. The author, Karen Alanizi, starts the book by depicting the differences between her current life in Kuwait to her previous life in Britain. During the war, she also shows the types of people living it. There was her mother-in-law who was frightful and timid. There was her husband who participated in the resistance. And there was Karen herself who felt both fear and uncertainty yet kept a brave face when writing these letters to her family so she wouldn't worry them.
The aspect I enjoyed most however was the community. People come together in the face of oppression and Alanizi portrays that essence effortlessly. From the resistance member warning her family that the restaurant across from them would be blown up so they shouldn't worry; or when a bus filled with people who had never met before shared food on their way to the airport. The sense of community and comradeship was vital to the war being won. Her experiences back in Britain when she finally escaped were also awe-inspiring. The number of people who worried about her, Alanazi's parents running the Gulf line and reassuring other families, the march for Kuwait's liberation was all very important.
I believe this is a wonderful read, and an insightful story documenting the Iraqi invasion in a personal and intimate way
The aspect I enjoyed most however was the community. People come together in the face of oppression and Alanizi portrays that essence effortlessly. From the resistance member warning her family that the restaurant across from them would be blown up so they shouldn't worry; or when a bus filled with people who had never met before shared food on their way to the airport. The sense of community and comradeship was vital to the war being won. Her experiences back in Britain when she finally escaped were also awe-inspiring. The number of people who worried about her, Alanazi's parents running the Gulf line and reassuring other families, the march for Kuwait's liberation was all very important.
I believe this is a wonderful read, and an insightful story documenting the Iraqi invasion in a personal and intimate way
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews