A Cave in the Clouds
A Young Woman's Escape from ISIS
by Badeeah Hassan Ahmed
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Pub Date Apr 09 2019 | Archive Date Oct 23 2019
Annick Press Ltd. | Annick Press
Description
Badeeah Hassan was just 18 when she witnessed firsthand the horrors of the 2014 genocide of the Ezidi people by ISIS forces. Captured by ISIS, known locally as Daesh, Badeeah was among hundreds forced into a brutal human trafficking network made up of women and girls of Ezidi ethnicity, a much-persecuted minority culture of Iraq. Badeeah’s story takes her to Syria where she is sold to a high-ranking ISIS commander known as Al Amriki, the American, kept as a house slave, raped, and routinely assaulted. Only the presence of her young nephew Eivan and her friend Navine, also prisoners, keeps her from harming herself. In captivity, she draws on memories and stories from her childhood to maintain a small bit of control in an otherwise volatile situation. Ultimately, it is her profound sense of faith and brave resistance that lead her to escape with Eivan and reunite with family.
Since her escape, Badeeah has brought her harrowing story of war and survival to the world’s stage, raising awareness about the little-known acts of genocide against her culture and the strength of a people unknown to many around the world. This captivating account of courage extends beyond the confines of her experience; Badeeah’s story is about the resilience of women, girls, and persecuted groups everywhere in the face of seemingly insurmountable oppression.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781773212357 |
| PRICE | $18.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 248 |
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 537835
This is a powerful, well-written and extremely important book.
Being similar in scope and topic, it covers a lot of the same material as Nadia Murad's "The Last Girl." (I believe the two authors may be cousins? -- not certain, but they came from the same town) It's about ISIS coming into Yazidi villages in Iraq, slaughtering all of the males and older women, and taking the younger women to be sex slaves. It's horrific and really, really disturbing. Unfortunately, it's also true.
and
So how does Cave in the Clouds compare with The Last Girl? Should you read both? Well, the former is a bit more restrained in tone, and better suited for YA audiences. It contains less graphic brutality. For instance, Badeeah just says "rape" without going into more details. That said, Cave in the Clouds is just as (or perhaps even more) emotionally gripping, because the author was younger than Murad when she was kidnapped. Also, she risked her life to save her little nephew, pretending to be his mother. This added a different touch to the memoir, as she was encumbered with a toddler during her attempts to escape.
You don't want to merely applaud the author for her courage in writing this book. You want to embrace her and reassure her.
Anyone interested in the Middle East, women's rights or current politics should read this book.
Educator 390984
A quick and engaging read about a young Ezidi girl who is kidnapped by ISIS and taken to Syria. While in Syria she is given to an important ISIS leader as his wife, who also happens to be an American. Along with protecting her young nephew, she uses her wits to escape the brutality they are both forced to endure.
The Ezidi people have had to endure kidnappings, horrible violence and genocide. It was interesting to read about their language, religious beliefs, and traditions. They are a spiritual and family-oriented society and Badeeah relays a number of Ezidi foktales throughout the book.
I normally do not read YA books, but this one caught my attention and I was pleasantly surprised. Badeeah is a brave and intelligent girl who faced a nightmare and survived.
Thank you Netgalley.
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