Crossing the River Kabul: An Afghan Family Odyssey

Crossing the River Kabul is a narrative nonfiction book by Najiba Alam, published in 2019. The book tells the story of Alam's family's journey from Afghanistan to Pakistan in the 1980s after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Alam was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1973. Her father was a diplomat, and her mother was a teacher. In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and Alam's family was forced to flee their home. They traveled to Pakistan, where they lived in a refugee camp for several years.

In 1989, Alam's family was granted asylum in the United States. They settled in California, where Alam attended college and became a writer.

Plot Summary

Crossing the River Kabul tells the story of Alam's family's journey from Afghanistan to Pakistan in the 1980s. The book is divided into three parts.

Part One: The Journey

The first part of the book describes Alam's family's journey from Kabul to Pakistan. They travel by foot, by car, and by donkey. They are often in danger, and they must constantly fear for their lives.

Part Two: The Camp

The second part of the book describes Alam's family's life in a refugee camp in Pakistan. The camp is overcrowded and unsanitary, and Alam and her family are often sick. They live in constant fear of being deported back to Afghanistan.

Part Three: The Arrival

The third part of the book describes Alam's family's arrival in the United States. They are granted asylum and settle in California. Alam attends college and becomes a writer. She is able to build a new life for herself and her family.

Themes

Crossing the River Kabul explores a number of themes, including:

• The impact of war on families
• The refugee experience
• The importance of education
• The power of hope

Characters

The main characters in Crossing the River Kabul are:

• Najiba Alam: The author of the book and the protagonist of the story.
• Abdul Salam Alam: Najiba's father.
• Khadija Alam: Najiba's mother.
• Shamshad Alam: Najiba's brother.
• Zainab Alam: Najiba's sister.

Reception

Crossing the River Kabul has received positive reviews from critics. The book has been praised for its powerful writing, its insightful exploration of the refugee experience, and its inspiring message of hope.

The New York Times called Crossing the River Kabul "a moving and unforgettable story of resilience and courage." The Washington Post said that the book is "a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the human cost of war."

Crossing the River Kabul has been awarded a number of awards, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction and the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.

Impact

Crossing the River Kabul has had a significant impact on the way that we think about the refugee experience. The book has helped to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world, and it has inspired people to take action to help them.

Alam has used her platform as an author to speak out on behalf of refugees. She has testified before Congress, she has given speeches at universities and conferences, and she has worked with refugee resettlement organizations.

Alam's work has helped to make a difference in the lives of refugees. She has helped to raise awareness of their plight, and she has inspired people to take action to help them.

Crossing the River Kabul is a powerful and inspiring story of resilience and courage. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the human cost of war and the refugee experience.

References

• The New York Times
• The Washington Post
• NPR
• Publishers Weekly