Over the years I have noticed how non-immigrants often seem surprised when one mentions how long it has been since one has seen a father or mother or sibling. How can it be that you have not seen your mother for 1/5/10/15 years?! There are many reasons why: money, time, family obligations, immigration status, conflicts in one’s country of birth, and so on. I haven’t seen my mother in nearly a year, my husband hasn’t seen his in 15. We build our lives away from family, but they are always still there with us, in our words, our traditions, our everyday acts. We may not see our siblings for years but the bond remains forever.

The Road From Raqqa is immigration story, brotherhood, family heritage, and a story of how conflict can rip a family apart, but also bring it together again. In the first part of the story Riyad is traveling back to Raqqa in Syria, nearly 20 years after he first left, to make sure his brother Bashar, and his family, are still safe. Riyad has his own life in the US, a wife, kids, a successful restaurant, and wants to bring the rest of his family back with him. 

This starts the story of two brothers who grew up together on the borders of the Euphrates in Raqqa, Syria. Riyad, the rebel, takes the chance to study in the US and makes a life for himself there. Bashar stays in Raqqa, content to build his own life there, until it comes to the point where it is no longer safe for his family to be there, between Daesh patrolling the streets, the government bombs, and then the US-led coalition bombs destroying whatever is left. Their heritage can be drawn back to the beginnings of Raqqa, and I loved reading about the tribal history of the area. I also loved how well written this book is: Jordan Ritter Conn does such a great job relaying the brothers’ stories, delving into fascinating details that provide the reader with a wonderful full picture of not only their lives but also their country, and all of the people around them. 

This is a must-read in my opinion: of course the story of two brothers may not tell the story of millions, but it does provide insight into the immigration process in the US (how bad the process has been for a long time, and how it is deteriorating rapidly), as well as life in Raqqa during the ongoing Syrian civil war. In my opinion we need to read individual stories in order to understand the larger picture, but also to make sure that we see people rather than just numbers reported by the press. None of our countries are immune to what happened in Syria. Every year the US accepts fewer and fewer refugees, at a time when more and more people need help. It is up to us to reverse racist, unfair, and downright evil policies that continue to hurt people and tear families apart. 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.