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Collection
Publication
Riverhead Books (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 48 pages
Description
Sea Prayer is composed in the form of a letter, from a father to his son, on the eve of their journey. Watching over his sleeping son, the father reflects on the dangerous sea-crossing that lies before them. It is also a vivid portrait of their life in Homs, Syria, before the war, and of that city's swift transformation from a home into a deadly war zone.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member streamsong
Do you remember the photograph of the three year old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean in 2015?
Author Khaled Hosseini imagined this wonderful prose poem with thoughts such a boy’s father may have had the night before attempting the dangerous crossing. The father remembers his
And most of all, he prays that the sea and Allah will give them safe passage
“Because you,
You are precious cargo, Marwan,
the most precious there ever was.
Inshalah.
I pray that the sea knows this”.
A beautifully illustrated book that will take you only a few minutes to read, but a lifetime to remember.
Author Khaled Hosseini imagined this wonderful prose poem with thoughts such a boy’s father may have had the night before attempting the dangerous crossing. The father remembers his
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homeland as he grew up in a time of peace and grieves that his son will never have those same memories. He remembers the bombs and the boy’s mother who is no more.And most of all, he prays that the sea and Allah will give them safe passage
“Because you,
You are precious cargo, Marwan,
the most precious there ever was.
Inshalah.
I pray that the sea knows this”.
A beautifully illustrated book that will take you only a few minutes to read, but a lifetime to remember.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
The well-known author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns wrote yet another breath-taking story in this short, but incredible book.
Based on the death of a three-year old boy fleeing Syria with his father in a small boat with others seeking safety in another home, this is the story of a
As they wait for the hoped-for-boat to arrive, the father cradles his small son and dreams of another life -- a safer, calmer life!
This book, packed with memories of safer times when there were no bombs raining down on the helpless, where the sun shone on the olive trees and the soft breeze created a calmness. The noise of a goat, the sound of household chores accomplished and the mosque for Muslims and the church for Christians in view.
Highly recommended! The illustrations are perfect for the accompanying text.
FIVE STARS
Based on the death of a three-year old boy fleeing Syria with his father in a small boat with others seeking safety in another home, this is the story of a
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father's wish for his son.As they wait for the hoped-for-boat to arrive, the father cradles his small son and dreams of another life -- a safer, calmer life!
This book, packed with memories of safer times when there were no bombs raining down on the helpless, where the sun shone on the olive trees and the soft breeze created a calmness. The noise of a goat, the sound of household chores accomplished and the mosque for Muslims and the church for Christians in view.
Highly recommended! The illustrations are perfect for the accompanying text.
FIVE STARS
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
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
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place it had been. A prayer to all people for compassion, understanding, for a little hope for the refugees fleeing for their life. The illstrations are beautifully wrought, from color to black and white. It is indeed a homage to the many who have lost their lives to the sea, fleeing a worn torn country. Among the 4, 176 who died or went missing attempting this journey, was a three year old named Alan Kudi, and Hosseini wrote this short, beautiful piece for them. Heartbreakng. Show Less
LibraryThing member amanda4242
Hauntingly, tragically beautiful.
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
This little book is getting poor reviews on Amazon, and I think it is because it is so different than expected. It's a book that I think would be best read in paper format because it's hard to read on a Kindle. It takes only a few minutes to read. Still, it is a lovely and touching book, bringing
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again to light the plight of refugees. The illustrations by Dan Williams are beautiful. No, this is not the novel we've come to expect from Mr. Hosseini, but it's a wonderful work in its own right. Show Less
LibraryThing member terran
Reading this book was an emotional experience, not only because it is a about refugees who are leaving the home where their family has lived for generations. Many people do that and look back on the place they knew and the stories they heard parents and grandparents tell about life in the past.
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They know this will always be "home" in their hearts, but they cannot stay. It is difficult to express the emotions to a child, especially when the reasons for leaving have to do with war and fear and a desire to protect the child from danger. I hope people who read this can look beyond their own experience and try to imagine how difficult a decision it is for "immigrants" to make the decision to risk their own lives and the lives of their families in the face of danger at home and danger when they reach their destination. Show Less
LibraryThing member overthemoon
This was one of the books suggested for my reading group, and I bought it because I have liked all his novels. Though it is very short (maybe too short, but how long should a prayer be?) I was mollified to think that a small part of the cost went to the UNHCR, and also the illustrations by Dan
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Williams are very beautiful, conjuring up peaceful life in Syria, the war-torn cities and the refugees in the boats. A prayer to the sea for the safety of a child, poignant in its simplicity. Show Less
LibraryThing member DKnight0918
Such beautiful illustrations. Sad and poignant book. He has such a way with words and although this book is short he gets his point across well.
LibraryThing member Carmenere
Short, sparse and beautifully illustrated, Sea Prayer "was inspired by the story of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach safety in Europe in 2015." So much said in so few words. Heart wrenching story of love that is timeless and
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unceasing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Maydacat
This tale many be short in pages but its impact is boundless. Dramatically illustrated by Dan Williams and written by Khaled Hosseini, it is a message given by a father to his son. They flee a worn-torn country where despair and fear are now commonplace. The father wishes that his son could
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remember the old times, but knows he cannot. The hope is that a new land, a better land, lies ahead for them, and he prays that the sea will be kind to them and take them there. Masterfully told, in word and picture. Show Less
LibraryThing member starbox
VERY short book (5 minute read)- nonetheless beautiful watercolours accompany a moving text, as a father (widowed in the Syrian conflict) leaves the carnage of Homs with his young son for a better life.
Memories of the past, things the child was too young to know - "the creek where your uncles and I
And the prayer ends as they flee: "we are a flyspeck in the heaving waters, pitching and tilting, easily swallowed."
Wouldn't recommend as an e-book: you need the printed version for optimum appreciation.
Memories of the past, things the child was too young to know - "the creek where your uncles and I
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built a thousand boyhood dams" -but then came "the sky spitting bombs...you have learned dark blood is better news than bright."And the prayer ends as they flee: "we are a flyspeck in the heaving waters, pitching and tilting, easily swallowed."
Wouldn't recommend as an e-book: you need the printed version for optimum appreciation.
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LibraryThing member John_Warner
This short poem by the author of The Kite Runner is beautifully illustrated. Its plot involves a Syrian grandfather telling his grandson of his life while the two await a boat to flee their homeland to begin a perilous sea journey to find a safe and welcoming home. The author is donating the
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entirety of his proceeds to the UN Refugee Agency. What an easy means to make a donation. Show Less
LibraryThing member over.the.edge
Sea Prayer
by Khaled Hosseini
2018
Riverhead Books
This is adult picture book, beautiful and haunting. The illustrations are gorgeous, and powerful and add much depth to this short story.
Syria has become a dark, war zone. People were attempting to flee to freedom. This is a letter from a Syrian father
Captivating and poignant reminder of how important democracy and respect for others dreams truly are.
by Khaled Hosseini
2018
Riverhead Books
This is adult picture book, beautiful and haunting. The illustrations are gorgeous, and powerful and add much depth to this short story.
Syria has become a dark, war zone. People were attempting to flee to freedom. This is a letter from a Syrian father
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to his young son, on the eve of their journey. It says so much with so few words. Captivating and poignant reminder of how important democracy and respect for others dreams truly are.
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LibraryThing member jbarr5
Sea Prayer by Khaled Wosseini
A father cradles his infant son waiting on the boat and talks to his sleeping child.
Story of a refugee who is forced to leave his home country of Afghanistan who relocated to CA.
Story he tells his son of the happenings of the house his grandparents lived, sights and
Seems like a dream now as protests, the siege, skies spitting bombs, burials, starvation, etc. So sad to learn of all this and how it effects people.
Proceeds go to the UN Refugee fund. Other works by the author are highlighted.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A father cradles his infant son waiting on the boat and talks to his sleeping child.
Story of a refugee who is forced to leave his home country of Afghanistan who relocated to CA.
Story he tells his son of the happenings of the house his grandparents lived, sights and
Show More
sounds, pretty things.Seems like a dream now as protests, the siege, skies spitting bombs, burials, starvation, etc. So sad to learn of all this and how it effects people.
Proceeds go to the UN Refugee fund. Other works by the author are highlighted.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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LibraryThing member ParadisePorch
Amazon calls this an "illustrated book" and, readers, that is not to be mistaken for a children's picture book, or even a graphic novel.
Although it's the size and thickness of a picture book, and could be read to/by children, it's really adults who should read this profoundly moving plea for a
Please. Read it.
Although it's the size and thickness of a picture book, and could be read to/by children, it's really adults who should read this profoundly moving plea for a
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man's family. For humanity.Please. Read it.
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LibraryThing member AngelaJMaher
Gently poetic, a deep and meaningful story told in so few words. A snapshot of our tragic modern times.
LibraryThing member Elizabeth_Foster
This poetic story casts a light on the fears of refugees as they set off from shore in search of a new home. The narrator, nostalgic for his own peaceful childhood reminisces to his sleeping son on the eve of their dangerous escape from war-torn Syria. A heartbreaking reminder of the worldwide
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humanitarian crisis and its devastating effect on children. A portion of the sale of this book goes to the UNHCR. Show Less
LibraryThing member Linyarai
"Sea Prayer was inspired by the story of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach safety in Europe in 2015" It was short and touching with beautiful watercolors.
LibraryThing member WeeTurtle
This is a beautiful and powerful book, both in text and illustrations. A father tells his son of the homeland he remembers, compared to the homeland his son knows, and why they are seeking a new home. The few words in this book show a strong perspective of home from a refugee, the sadness that
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comes when things are not longer what they were, and the desperate and hopeful choice to leave. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
This books was good but not remotely what I expected. It's soo soo small! I thought it was going to be a legit big adult novel, I mean it's Khaled Hosseini for crying out loud! Instead I got a small picture book. And don't get me wrong, it's still a good story, and the illustrations are gorgeous,
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BUT... it's a kids book. It could legitimately be shelved with the juvenile literature. All bitching aside, it is the heart-wrenching story of a father reminiscing to his son about how beautiful their country used to be and thinking about all the good memories they had. The father then laments that his son was too little to remember the good times, and all that he'll think of when he thinks of home is death and destruction. He promises his son that they'll get to a bigger better home, away from all the chaos of their war-torn country and then offers up a prayer to the sea to grant them safe passage. This is a chilling story and one that any refugee will relate to. Show Less
LibraryThing member anniesdreaming
A children's book, though not quite meant for children. It is short, but it is powerful, it is necessary.
ISBN
0525539093 / 9780525539094