One of the most unfortunate and devastating events in the history of the world is the Holocaust that resulted in a massive loss of innocent lives. But this is not the only genocide that shook the world. There have been multiple events in the past that hint at man’s chimeric nature of intentionally claiming the lives of others and destroying them based on ethnicity, nationality, racial or religious differences. Let’s take a look at some of the books that open a personal and intimate window into the lives of the people who have experienced this internationally recognised crime.
This reading list is topped by Vaddey Ratner’s book which beautifully combines mythology, culture, language and history. This story of the Cambodian genocide is told through the life story of Raami, a seven year old princess. Raami is forced to leave her childhood far behind when the Khmer Rouge is wreaking havoc. All that Raami is left with, are poems and stories from her childhood, which once her father narrated to her. Ratner walks us through the mass killings in the name of relocation and reorganisation of the society, in Cambodia. When Raami and her family is forced onto the streets and is stripped off of their royalty, they try to figure out a life for themselves in Kien Svay. But this is not the end of hardships for Raami’s family, as they are constantly forced to leave one camp and move onto some other location.
A love story set in a tumultuous historical backdrop, ‘The Sandcastle Girls’ by Bohjalian takes place during the Armenian genocide. Elizabeth Endicott, a young nursing graduate has just arrived in Armenia and is has volunteered to help the refugees of the genocide. She meets Armen, who has lost his wife and daughter. Soon Armen is recruited in the British army, but he keeps in touch with Elizabeth through letters. The story then takes a time jump and we are introduced to Laura, an American woman, who explores the roots of her family’s history and her connection to Elizabeth and Armen. Bohjalian’s storytelling takes the readers on a unique journey through Laura’s narration.
One of the absolute favourites on my reading list, ‘Over a Thousand Hills I walk with you’ is inspired from the true story of Jeanne d’Arc Umubyeyi, a girl who survived the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The character of Jeanne is called by the name Dede in the novel. Dede is an eight year old who lives a carefree life- playing around with friends, with her brother Jando and enjoying the company of nature. And while her family keeps her as much away as possible from political or financial difficulties of Rwandan life, Dede finds a way to overhear their conversations. When Dede’s village is attacked by the rival tribe, her mother and Jando are executed in front of her while her father and sister abandon her and run for their lives. Little Dede is left with no option but to grow up and be her own caretaker. Jansen went to Rwanda and adopted the actual Dede as her daughter, and the book is based on Dede’s life.
Belonging to the Zaghawa tribe of Sudan, this is the story of medical doctor and author Halima Bashir. ‘Tears of the Desert’ chronicles Bashir’s growing up years and the good education that she received as she was allowed to move away from her rural home. Becoming the first educated doctor of her village, Bashir was looking forward to a happy future where she would get to help her community. But her dreams were disrupted by the Janjaweed Arab militias that attacked Bashir’s village in 2004, raping and killing people. Tears of the Desert is Bashir’s raw account as a survivor who helped others recuperate with this tragic trauma.
A heart-wrenching account of a fifteen year old forced to abandon her life of being a normal teen and plucked out of her house to be sent to a camp in Siberia, ‘Between Shades of Gray’ is Sepetys’ novel that narrates the story of Lina. While Lina’s father is in a prison camp, she constantly writes and draws to him, hoping that her letters would reach him. Sepetys tells an important tale of a significant period in the Baltic history that has little proof to its existence and has been largely erased from the memory of time.
Before you forget, and indulge in another interesting read for the day, make sure your paperbacks and hardcovers are well protected from dust and stains, while you’re engrossed in reading. If it’s a paperback or a hardcover, you can choose from our range of booksleeves in eclectic Indian prints. In case you are an e-reader, our Kindle paperwhite sleeve, has got you covered!