We Crossed a Bridge and it Trembled by Wendy Pearlman

Review by Tania Valdés

The Short 

Intimate testimonies and fragments during the war from a cross-section of Syrians, whose lives have been transformed by revolution, war, and flight.

The Long 

Based on interviews with hundreds of displaced Syrians, the book is a mosaic of first-hand testimonials from the frontlines of these survivors. Some of the testimonies are eloquent narratives that could stand alone as short stories; others are only a few poetic sentences. Together, they are an unforgettable chronicle that is not only a testament to the power of storytelling but to the strength of those who face darkness with hope, courage, and moral conviction.

To read or not to read? 

Read! It is a marvelous book that gives Syrian survivors their own ability to narrate the war firsthand.