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The Boy From Aleppo Who Painted The War
The Boy From Aleppo Who Painted The War | Sumia Sukkar
2 posts | 5 to read
This is a powerful and deeply moving novel chronicling the Syrian War through the eyes of 14 year old Adam who has Asperger Syndrome. It has been adapted into a BBC Radio 4 play. I have the urge to paint, and I can already see the painting in my head horrible and beautiful all at the same time. A gifted artist, Adam expresses the intimate sufferings of his family as they struggle through the Syrian conflict by painting with whatever materials he can find. Having been dependent on his family all his life, he must now cope with separation and loss, including the fates of his devoted sister and brothers who are all caught up in the acceleration of events and forced to live out the consequences both of their own choices and those made for them. The frightening and unpredictable changes, not only for Adams family, but also for a once beautiful city and a whole nation, are unfolded with compassion, wit and imaginative force through a spectrum of shifting colors, moods and atmospheres. The novel blends political events, emotional drive and Arabian tradition through a unique perspective, whilst reminding the reader that what human beings really need is dignity, security and love. An outstanding debut novel BBC Front Row A moving first novel, written with an insiders knowledge of the land and its people The Times This outstanding novel is a must-read for anyone who hopes to understand the beauty and character that exists within a country torn apart by war. To superimpose the experience of Asperger's upon the experience of war is Sukkar's great achievement and brings a heart-breaking clarity to the suffering, the strength and the hopes of ordinary people caught up in political mayhem. The Booktrust
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DeborahSmall
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This is the beautiful city of Aleppo before the conflict started 5 years ago. I don't post anything political here as it's my haven. But after a day of watching the news and reading the reports coming out of the city, I feel such an unbearable sadness and grief for those that suffered and are still suffering. How much heartache can one world take. If I could I'd bring a busload to to my home to give them peace and shelter I would 😞

DeborahSmall To think that 8 years ago I felt so much hope waiting on Obama being inaugurated. I thought the world was changing for the better. Now we have Brexit and Trump! The world was shocked after 9/11 but What's happened in Aleppo is the worst atrocity I've lived through and I hope it stays that way, what is the world going to do with the millions of misplaced Syrian civilians? I feel so sad and so sick. 7y
mauveandrosysky I feel you. ❤️ 7y
saresmoore It's horrible and I can't even imagine what it's like for the citizens. It's truly heartbreaking. 7y
See All 12 Comments
Libby1 😓 7y
Texreader So so sad. 7y
CocoReads So sad the situation. I don't even wanna watch the news--there's never anything less than heartbreaking. 7y
kspenmoll Horrible and heartbreaking. Take care of yourself as best you can- 7y
LauraBeth It makes me sad as well - here's a group trying to help: http://www.preemptivelove.org 7y
kspenmoll News footage, reporting sickening & devastating. Thx @LauraBeth for the website referral. 7y
Laura317 😢Makes me want to go foster a family! I second @LauraBeth on Preemptive Love. Great group! 7y
Suet624 I'm with you. Heartbroken. 7y
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rockpools
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#disabilities #photoadaynov16

Adam, a 14 yr old with Asperger's, who sees emotions as colours, is living in Aleppo with his family at the start of the Syrian conflict watching his world turn grey. This is a book that's stayed with me - immensely readable despite the horrors (violence, torture, rape) - and his voice, trying to make sense of a world that makes no sense. Mixed reviews on GR, but I'm glad I stumbled across this one.

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