This is a brilliantly written book. The story is so impactful. It is a book that everyone should read. It is extremely hard hitting.

In alternating chapters, we learn the story of Amir’s life and of how he came to be on the ship; and we follow the duo as they make their way towards a vision of safety. But as the novel unfurls, we begin to understand that this is not merely the story of two children finding their way through a hostile world. Omar El Akkad’s What Strange Paradise is the story of our collective moment in this time: of empathy and indifference, of hope and despair – and of the way each of those things can blind us to reality, or guide us to a better one.
What a gorgeous book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people but created with a charming lightness of touch.

I hope that when people read this, they realize that, even though these specific characters (probably) don't exist, and the events in this book (probably) didn't really happen, the essence of this story isn't exactly fiction. It's a reality for so many people forced to flee their homeland, heading towards the countries that claim to be sympathetic, but when it comes down to it, would rather see them drown or die in their homelands, than share any of their comforts. Seeing stories on the news about the treatment of refugees always makes me angry and sad, and this book achieved the same. It feels all too real and very raw. I had to put the book down a couple of times; even though it's relatively short, the subject matter is really heavy, and I would recommend taking your time with it.

I read this without discovering the additional layer of Vänna's last name and the implications for Amir, which makes me sad, but I'm also really impressed by the very subtle foreshadowing the author provides.

A short book but every page told the story perfectly
The ending of this book will make the reader question everything they have read but I loved the ambiguity of it.

Heart breakingly good, land written beautifully this is a book to savour and digest carefully.

This book is beautifully written that it makes a harrowing subject matter easy to read. I was immediately transported into the world of Amir.

The book looks at the reality, on an individual level, of refugees and asylum seekers. The main character is Amir, a 9 year old boy who is fleeing Syria with his family and accidentally ends up on a ship which is wrecked on the coast of a Greek island.

The book uses the characters to explore the many reactions of the people on both sides. The author does not idealise either side, we are shown flawed, broken and desperate people on both sides. People who have to make choices about how they respond to an awful situation.

The writing is wonderful, the characters realistic and the book will keep me thinking long after I have finished reading. All signs of a brilliant book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers. Pan Macmillan for this ARC.

This should be required reading. It’s made me rethink so many things and I think it’s an important read for all of us living in the UK, where now refugees are being deported to Rwanda.

It’s a short book but it packs a punch. Read it!

This was a difficult read but an extraordinary novel. This is a very topical issue and no one reading it can help be reminded of the young Syrian boy who was found dead on a beach. Whilst this was one boy who made the headlines, this is no doubt a wider issue than is reported.

The prose is beautiful but also simplistic and I love the authors reserved style.

What Strange Paradise is a difficult novel to review without revealing its final secret. It is a story all too familiar from the news - that of migrants in unsuitable boats travelling across seas to reach a better life.

I had to read parts of it twice, there was such beauty to the prose and despite the sadness such flashes of hope too.

Highly recommended. I want to say more in my review, but this a work of such depth it needs time to settle in my bones. It is a novel I know I will re-read.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.