Khaled Hosseini's Sea Prayer isn't a book—it's a poem. But it's more than a poem—it is, in essence, a letter written from father to son, a prayer lifted up on the eve of a journey away from their war-torn country, a journey which could prove tremendously dangerous.In less than 50 pages, Hosseini's words and the beautiful illustrations break your heart. This was inspired by the story of Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy believed to have drowned during his family's attempts to flee their...

I'm really not sure how to describe this book. It's a letter from a father to his son, the night before they leave their war-torn country for a safer place. It's not great and the father is terrified because it involves a great deal of danger (especially for the portion of the trip that's by boat). You can feel his fear and at the same time his knowledge that there's no real good choice. Leaving is dangerous and there's a very real chance that one or all of them will die. But staying isn't a goo...

EDIT 3, 3 stars. So I've been thinking about this for a few months now. A few months ago I read Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and I loved it. I thought if I liked that one, why couldn't I like this one, since they are similar - picture books, targeted mostly at children, but adults can enjoy them too. On one hand it was the fact that I had high expectations from Sea Prayer, based on Khaled Hosseini's previous books, whereas in the case of Julian Is a Mermaid I didn't have any, I went in co...

I read this short offering by Hosseini, an author I very much admire, in a matter of minutes. In the title is the word prayer, and it is a prayer to a child, a people, young people who will never know the country of their birth, Syria, without bombs, towns in ruins and starvation. Not the vibrant place it had been. A prayer to all people for compassion, understanding, for a little hope for the refugees fleeing for their life. The illustrations are beautifully wrought, from color to black and whi...

Sea Prayer is like that rare songbird singing on a winter morning, only to fly away in a moment. Inspired by the haunting image of young Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on the beach in Turkey in September 2015, it is a touching tribute to the families of the refugees who've lost everything but their memories of wartime. Alan Kurdi, another life lost at sea. Its only flaw, though, is its incredibly short length. Written in the form of a touchin...

(Throwback Review) This book, written by Khaled Hosseini, is dedicated to refugees and was written in response to the refugee crisis in Syria. It shows us how the war destroyed Syria.Nobody can forget the heartbreaking image of the young three-year-old Alan Kurdi's body lying on the beach in Turkey. Khaled Hosseini decided to pay homage to Kurdi and millions of other refugees by writing about them in this book. This is a book that should be on the reading list of everyone. This is also a boo

Let’s Help ThemIn the year 2015, Alan Kurdi, a three years old Syrian refugee was drowned in the Mediterranean Sea whilst trying to reach safety in Europe.The following year, 4176 others died or went missing attempting that very same journey.The moment Hosseini knew about it, he sent an SOS to World — he wrote a bunch of simple heartfelt words, turned into pictures by the hand of Dan Williams, and that was it!Now it’s up to us:The moment we buy a copy of this book, we are helping those syrian re...

Short and poignant with beautiful illustrations. I wish it was longer.

Even amongst the bombs, starvation, and burials, hope never dies. Witness here a father’s prayer that his son shall know safety, security, and home as a place of happiness. A short read that is poignant and powerful.

A beautiful and moving story from a father to his son about their life before their world was ravaged by war. This is such an important book -- one which makes me thankful for literature and its power.

Sea Prayer is a beautifully illustrated short story (very short), where a father reminisces with his sleeping son in his arms. They are refugees waiting for the next stage of their journey. The father recalls how he and his brothers enjoyed their summers at their grandfather’s farm, knowing that his son won’t be able to share this same experience. They are fleeing from Syria, but, it could be any one of several countries.There are many reasons that people seek refuge in countries other than thei...

A moving little story - a letter, really - from a father to his son, as he prays he will survive his sea voyage as a refugee in search of a better life. I just wish there had been a little more substance to it. It's so short that I read it in less than five minutes.

This book is short but haunting and powerful. I've loved Khaled Hosseini for his other books and his brilliant, meaningful writing definitely shines through in this one even though it's so brief. I can't wait to get my own copy.

[Originally appeared here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/l...]For long now, Khaled Hosseini has cemented his position as an author who imparts a subtle yet searing voice to the victims of war, riots and displacement, especially in the Islamic countries. We have clutched our hearts and have sobbed silent tears at his Hassan’s redemption and Mariam’s journey. And Sea Prayer, at its core, harbors a similar cry for life.A father with his young son, Marwan pressed to his chest, is awaiting a sh...

”This book is dedicatedto the thousands of refugeeswho have perished at seafleeing war and persecution.”Khaled Hosseini, author of ’The Kite Runner,’ A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed has combined his writing skills with the artistic skills of Dan Williams, illustrator, for this epistolary poem, from father to son upon the journey which they are about to embark.As this is a letter from a father to son to young to have his own memories, the content is meant for, and appropria...

"Sea Prayer"Because you,you are precious cargo, Marwan,the most precious there ever was.I pray the sea knows this.Khaled Hosseini's Sea Prayer is a beautifully illustrated and powerful, but very short message from a refugee father to his beloved son.The beautiful watercolour paintings by Dan Williams capture the spirit of the contents so well. It would have been more impactful if the book was slightly more longer.This book is a true dedication to all the refugees who breathed their last trying t...

Only a talent like Hosseini could conjure such poignancy and pain in a few scant pages. Beautiful in the telling, magnificent in its illustrated execution; a reminder that there are so many who will risk everything for refuge. Thank you, Mr. Hosseini.