International winner of the PEN Pinter Prize
“An eloquent, gripping and harrowing account of the country’s decline into barbarism by an incredibly brave Syrian.” - Irish Times
“Samar Yazbek's searing new book about her Syrian homeland is a testament to the indomitable spirit of her countrymen in their struggle against the Assad regime. . . shocking, searing, and beautiful.” - Daily Beast
“Journalist Samar Yazbek was forced into exile by Assad's regime. When the uprising in Syria turned to bloodshed, she was determined to take action and secretly returned several times. The Crossing is her rare, powerful and courageous testament to what she found inside the borders of her homeland.
From the first peaceful protests for democracy to the arrival of ISIS, she bears witness to those struggling to survive, to the humanity that can flower amidst annihilation, and why so many are now desperate to flee.”
“One of the first political classics of the 21st century.” - Observer
“Extraordinarily powerful, poignant, and affecting. I was greatly moved.” - Michael Palin
(Group read suggestion from Beth McCrea, book club co-founder.)