Tears of the Desert

By: Halima Bashir, Damien Lewis

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

Halima Bashir was born into the Zaghawa tribe, whose customs have remained unchanged for centuries, in the remote western deserts of Sudan in the region of South Darfur. Halima's father named his daughter after the traditional medicine woman of the village, and she grew up in a happy and close-knit childhood environment. Her father became a wealthy man by his tribe's standards, so he could afford to send Halima to school and university. Halima went on to study medicine, and at 24 she returned to her tribe and began practicing as their first ever qualified doctor.

But shortly thereafter Janjaweed Arab militias began savagely assaulting the Zaghawa, often with the backing of the Sudan military. At first, Halima tried not to get involved. But in January 2004 the Janjaweed attacked her area, raping 42 schoolgirls and their teachers. Halima treated the traumatized rape victims, some of whom were as young as eight years old, then spoke up about what she had witnessed in Sudanese newspaper and to the UN charities. But the secret police came for her and Halima was interrogated and subjected to unspeakable torture and multiple rapes. She managed to escape into hiding in her home village, but Janjaweed raiders backed by helicopter gunships attacked her home. Halima's father was killed, her village turned into a smoking ruin. She knew that she had to leave for good.

Taking what little money her mother could spare her, Halima set out on an epic journey to escape the hell of Darfur. With little idea how she might get there, she chose to head for England, where a long-lost childhood cousin was waiting to marry her. Now she is determined to share her story with the world in hopes that her tale will help shed light on the hundreds of thousands of innocent and beautiful lives being snuffed out by what is quickly becoming one of the most terrible genocides of the 21st century.

©2008 Halima Bashir, Damien Lewis (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A story that takes you there

What made the experience of listening to Tears of the Desert the most enjoyable?

I truly felt as if I was Halima while reading this. I felt her emotions so much and saw the images she described. It was really amazing how real and raw it was.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Halima's dad seemed like a really great man. He was invested in his children and never looked down on Halima for being a girl, but helped her pursue her dreams. He was very loving and caring. I truly appreciated hearing her fondness in her descriptions of him.

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

She just did a really beautiful job and had a soothing voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did a bit of both because there were a couple funny stories, but most were very sad, especially when you listen to her stories of how she was treated in school and buy those who went out to harm her in various ways. It broke my heart.

Any additional comments?

This book explains FGM and rape. It is not easy to handle, so beware that you will learn things that might really upset you and make you mad.

Very heartbreaking

This story was written very well and some parts are very hard to listen to, my face was cringing. On the other hand it has made me very curious about the war in Sudan, something I really hadn't known about until I read the book Slave, which led me to reading this book, I just can't believe that this is still going on today!!!

A Bit Slow

The story was interesting and enlightening. I had no knowledge of the horrrors that some people endured in Darfur. Halima Bashir relays the story of her journey through hell to freedom. Overall, I am glad to have read it, but found it a litte slow sometimes. It was not a book I couldn't put down.

absolutely amazing and heartbreaking

despite all the challenges she faced she persevered and did not change her heart or beliefs she stood true to her people and spoke up when no one else would no matter the consequences.

deceitful book

this book takes an anecdote about a tiny minority of atrocities and tried to pass it off as the norm in the ethnic cleansing of South Sudanese Christians by war criminal Omar Al-Bashir. it's deceptive and unfair to the victims. it also helps embolden the supporters of the ethnic cleansing in Saudi Arabia etc.