Halima Bashir's "Tears of the Desert": A Memoir of Courage and Survival

Bethany Knight: I honestly believe everyone should read this book. Thank you so much for sharing such a raw and detailed account of your experiences. I am so glad that you were able to find safety and gain status with your husband and child. I hope that by now you may have word on your other family members.

As a Social Worker supporting unaccompanied minors in the UK currently, it feels so poignant, powerful and needed to widen societal understanding of what you experienced in your Country and what is still happening now.

It was graphic at times, but I am grateful for this because, we should not be sheltered from the harsh and devastating circumstances that forced you to flee your home and seek refuge. You have helped to enhance my political and cultural awareness.

I think you should be proud for providing a voice for your people- for those you lost, who are too afraid or at risk to speak themselves.

United Kingdom on Aug 08, 2023

Joan: This is one of the best non-fiction books I've read,, ! It captured me from the first page. The courage of this woman is beyond belief. Highly recommend this novel.

Canada on Jul 04, 2023

Mason Reynolds: This story is one of the best stories I have read in ages. From a character and women who you fall in love with instantly to the horrid life she was given growing up. A must rea!

United States on Apr 18, 2022

Amazon Customer: Vivid account of horror in Dafur especially the personal tragedy of a women.... touching

India on Nov 17, 2015

palajo: It is incomprehensible that the world would let thugs, war lords, Muslim murders continue to wreak havoc and genocide on innocent people. If it is not clear by now that the UN has no authority let it be known they are ineffectual and the world should start acting on its own. The US is too generous to the third world nations that want to control the
UN. Stop funding the UN and put the money where it is needed.
The money used by UN on one country that has an inside track for whatever reason could have alleviated all the suffering in Darfur.
This story is a tale of what the human spirit is capable. It is an eye opener for the condemnation of female circumcision and it's barbaric practice inflicted on young girls. It is brutal!!
If you need inspiration, read this memoir.

United States on Aug 14, 2015

Anne-Marie Drake: Could not put this book down. A must read book in understanding the plight of refugees.

Australia on Mar 26, 2015

David L. Lott: Originally, I read this book in hopes to use in the classroom for world literature. From a literary standpoint, some chapters seem to drag along; the memoir could certainly benefit from better editing. The first couple of sections of the book could certainly be shortened, and several typos exist (at least in the Kindle version). As far as Bashir's account of Darfur is concerned, it is a chilling rem I need of just how evil mankind can be; we typically tell ourselves that something this horrific could never take place in the 21st century! Think again. We Westerners believed similarly prior to the Jewish holocaust. When will this cycle end. Her epilogue certainly opened my eyes about China's indirect involvement in this crisis.

Although I will most likely not have students read the book in entirety, I may use excerpts from this account to supplement units covering such themes as contemporary war and Africa in the 21st century.

United States on Jun 20, 2013

さばとらみーちゃん: 本書は、２つの意味で内容が限定的です。一つは、基本的には一般人である著者の経験したことしか書かれていないので、ダルフール紛争の背景や全体像といったものはこの本からはわかりません。父親から聞いた話としてある程度の背景が語られていますが、読者のために取ってつけた感じで、今一つです。また、個々のエピソードが起きた年月がわからないので、時代背景と関連付けて読むのも難しいです。もう一つは、当然Black Africanの視点からのみ書かれていますので、一方的です。アフリカ人女性の成長記（といっても筆者はまだ３０歳足らずですが）といった感じで、私はもっとダルフール紛争全般に関する本かと思っていたので、がっかりでした。話としては結構おもしろいですが、スーダン情勢の勉強にはあまりなりません。

Japan on Dec 06, 2011

Amazon Customer: I can't recommend this book enough. It's not for the faint of heart and there are no happy endings for many suffering in Darfur but it opens your eyes.

This book allowed you into the life of her African tribe, their day to day rituals and even though they are a world and culture away, you see the love of family. Children even in Africa create simple neighborhood games, family and friends celebrate with food and gatherings. Their tribe was all about family. And you see the similarties even in our lives in the usa.

And then you're shown the ugly part of this world we live in. A world where animals feel they are better. Animals who justify rape, murder and savagery. You feel first hand the suffering, feel the fear and the despair when people are hunted down like animals.

This would make a fantastic movie and would bring attention to the atrocities in this world that are going on as we speak.

Highly recommend.

United States on Mar 07, 2011

Michael J. Jaquish: The author does a spectacular job sharing the joy, sadness, challenge and yes, the horrors of her world in this book. Much of the time I felt as though I was right there with her, participating in her experiences. I laughed and cried with her and I felt her pain and humiliation deep in my soul. One cannot help but grow as one reads this book. It is more than a good read... it is an education about an ancient, exotic culture and a lesson on empathy, love, compassion and fear. Those who follow events that reveal man's inhumanity to man (and women) are aware that the author showed great courage by placing her personal safety at considerable risk with this book. By refusing to remain a victim and telling her story she has pointed the finger of guilt at her aggressors. They are fearful and striking back with accusations and threats but the world knows the truth of their inhumanity now, so try as they may, their efforts will fall on deaf ears.

Michael James Jaquish
Author:  Beyond Courage: Tales of a Country Cop in AfricaThe Buddha And The Badge: A Journey of Personal DiscoveryA Monk Without A Monastery: An Examination of Self-Discovery

United States on Oct 23, 2010