The Road from Raqqa

In a sober-voiced narration, Graham Halstead gives this biography of two Syrian brothers, Riyad and Bashar Alkasem, the gravity it deserves. He is measured and steady in conveying the tumult of the brothers' teenage years as they grew up under the terror of Basar Al-Assad's regime. Halstead narrates their sense of disorientation as they watch the Syrian civil war unfold on the Internet. He pronounces the Arabic words, names, and places accurately, helping listeners feel more connected to the experiences being described. Those who are interested in learning more about the Syrian conflict, as well Arab immigrant identity in the U.S., will find much to absorb in this well-delivered audiobook. M.R. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine