

Spectacular with an amazing ending!!
“Why did your game upset him?” asked Daphne while she and Haris watched the two head toward the elevator.
“I wouldn‘t let him cheat,” said Haris.
“You wouldn‘t let him cheat, or you wouldn‘t let him win?”
“Letting him win is cheating.”
I found that in the places where the author was depicting the conflicts and ambiguities of war, this novel was fascinating; in the places where he was examining relationships, it fell short. Still worth the read, as it's the first book I've found that deals with the Syrian war. #EliReadsThe NBAs
An Iraqi American attempts to cross into Syria to help fight in 2014, but the war isn't quite what he expected. He encounters a married couple who help him in his quest to cross, and the reader realizes nothing will ever be the same for these individuals who have been so deeply affected by war. I suspect this one will stay with me a long time.
I‘m between pick and so-so here - leaning more towards so-so. There are a lot of themes in this book: the pointlessness of war, guilt over life choices that affect others, grief, religion and morality. Sometimes trying to do the right thing leads you nowhere. In short, this is a rather depressing book. Considering the subject matter, though, I felt the book lacked some depth. Audio narration was quite good, though.
Found the audiobook for this National Book Award finalist on Hoopla. Starting it today.
Haris, an Iraq born American, returns to Turkey to try to cross into Syria to fight with the Syrian Free Army. This is set in a war zone but it's more than a novel about war. It's about loss and trying to redeem oneself despite the lack of options available. The ending 💔💔💔.
It's so beautiful outside today, I just had to take my lunch break on the plaza. Not pictured: the adorable senior Doxie out for a walk, asking everyone sitting around me for pets. I hate being interrupted while reading but not when a doggie wants a belly rub 🐕🌞
Outstanding. Highly recommended.
More here: http://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.com/2017/02/dark-at-crossing-on-syrian-civil-...