Difficult Roads: The Girl Who Defied War

Powerful memoir with great impact because it recounts the terrifying journey of a girl who escaped Sudan’s hellish tribal wars to find a better place, a girl who has become a free woman continuing her crusade for a better world. I was moved by the author’s endurance and defiance of evil, but I think her memoir should only be a first step. With the author’s extensive journaling of her trek toward that better world, why not create a living document through less narrative and greater dialogue to more effectively immerse the reader in her struggle? Also, while the author encountered many people through her journey, some good and some bad, her struggle must always be from her viewpoint, not the perspectives of these other people. Otherwise, her memoir is weakened. Normally, I would give this memoir four stars for the author’s effort, but I’m giving it a five because the author actually lived this saga, and that’s worth an extra, bright star.

"Difficult Roads: The Girl Who Defied War" by Lamia Elhag is a gripping and heart-wrenching memoir that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the darkest and most challenging moments of the author’s life. This book is not just a recount of survival; it’s a powerful narrative of resilience, courage, and the unyielding human spirit. Lamia Elhag’s story begins in the midst of the Sudan War in 2023, where she faced unimaginable horrors including imprisonment, torture, and the crushing weight of societal expectations. Her decision to escape and embark on a treacherous journey across the Sahara Desert to Khartoum is a testament to her extraordinary strength and determination. The challenges didn’t end there, as her path took her through multiple countries—France, the Netherlands, England—before finally finding refuge in the United States.