Little Brother
an odyssey to Europe
by Ibrahima Balde; Amets Arzallus Antia
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Pub Date 15 Apr 2021 | Archive Date 31 May 2021
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Description
A heartbreaking and magnificent account of a poor and illiterate young West African’s odysssey.
Ibrahima, whose family live in a village in the West African country of Guinea, helps his father sell shoes at a street stall in the capital, Conakry. At the sudden death of his father, he becomes the head of the family and picks up various skills, always alone and away from home, although his dream is to be a truck driver in his country.
But when his little brother, Alhassane, suddenly disappears, heading for Europe in a bid to earn money for the family, Ibrahima leaves everything behind to try to find him and convince him to go back to their village and continue his education. In an epic journey, Ibrahima risks his life many times searching for his little brother.
Each waystation that Ibrahima passes through takes him to another world, with different customs, other languages, other landscapes, other currencies, and new challenges to overcome. His willpower is astonishing, and the friendship and generosity of strangers he encounters on the way help him to keep going.
After enduring many trials and tribulations, he learns of Alhassane’s fate. Unable to return home, he embarks on the journey to Europe himself.
Little Brother is a testimonial account that gives a voice, heart, and soul, and flesh and bones to the seemingly nameless masses of people struggling and dying, trying only to achieve a better life for themselves and their families.
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781925938791 |
PRICE | A$24.99 (AUD) |
PAGES | 160 |
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Featured Reviews
A short but incredible story. Ibrahima's tale of his journeys and struggles is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and shows strength that most of us will never have to show. His storytelling technique and translation is something unlike other books, and is refreshing and so so honest.
This book is essential for anyone who hasn't ever put a face to the statistic or story about a refugee. It's human at its very core and is a documentation of power, strength and faith that people can have.
This is the story about the author who at a young age living in the West African country of Guinea along with his family. He leaves school to work at his fathers shoe stand in the big city and takes the lead of the family when his father passes away. He feels he must find a trade or method to earn money to help his family and allow his younger brother and sisters the chance to stay in school and he finds work around Africa to provide. The takes off when his younger brother leaves the family to find work also to send money home for the family. The focus of the story is following the author as he travels and works his way around Africa trying to find his younger Brother. The conditions that he faces are unbelievable with the deserts, chances of being kidnaped and bought and solid all in the efforts to find his brother. This is an amazing story even though there is a lot of struggle and tragedy. Give it a read.