An intimately diaristic travelogue, a stirring personal inquiry, and a captivating, meticulously researched history.

Contributes to an important body of literature that speaks to the global conditions forged by US imperialism rather than from the perspective of a given 'ethnic background'.

Sturdy and accessible.

Brilliant.

Thoughtful, gorgeously written.

She excels in inviting readers to experience life through others’ eyes: placing readers alongside her for the journey, with highly descriptive writing Samatar details everything from food preparations, to the next stop on her trip, to a vision of what life was like long ago in their village. Past and present are almost interchangeable here, and while it can seem disconcerting when the author suddenly leaps between them, it is ultimately an effective illustration of how the past shapes the present and why history matters..

Voluptuous with imagery and lush with language, this gorgeous memoir of travel and discovery is a perfect summer read.

Fascinating.

Vivid.