Sea Prayer

by Khaled Hosseini
Sea Prayer cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Literary Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £11.99 Hardback • £12.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 7521
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781526602701
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2018-08-30
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Sea Prayer is a deeply moving and gorgeously illustrated short story by Khaled Hosseini, the international bestselling author of The Kite Runner. The story unfolds on a moonlit beach where a father cradles his sleeping son, reminiscing about their life in Syria before the war. The father's memories paint a vivid picture of their home, filled with the sounds of olive trees, goats, and the bustling city of Homs. The narrative is brought to life by Dan Williams's stunning illustrations, which add an emotional depth to the story. As dawn breaks, the father and son prepare to embark on a perilous sea journey in search of a new home. The story is a powerful exploration of the refugee experience, highlighting the courage and resilience of those forced to flee their homes. Proceeds from the sale of Sea Prayer will go to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support life-saving initiatives for refugees around the world.

Reviews
BongBong Books · 2024-11-26
profound 4.50

The sparse, poetic narrative is imbued with profound emotion, each sentence dense with sorrow. The book's brevity enhances its impact, making it a powerful read.

This reviewer found the book's sparse and poetic narrative to be deeply moving. The emotional weight of each sentence is palpable, and the brevity of the book actually enhances its impact. They appreciated the way the story captures the essence of human suffering and hope in a way that is both poignant and memorable. The illustrations complement the text beautifully, adding another layer of depth to the reading experience. Overall, it's a short but powerful read that leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    The sparse, poetic narrative is imbued with profound emotion in Hosseini's prose.

    Each sentence feels dense with the sorrow of the circumstances.

    The book's brevity enhances its impact, making it a powerful read.

Sumaiyya Reads · 2018-10-01
heartbreaking 4.75

This short, powerful book is a letter from a Syrian father to his son, filled with love and desperation. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

This reviewer highlights the book's emotional depth and the powerful message it conveys. The story of a Syrian father writing a letter to his son on the eve of their dangerous journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful. They appreciate the way Hosseini captures the essence of love and desperation in the face of adversity. The illustrations are also praised for their beauty and how they complement the text. Overall, it's a moving and impactful read that stays with you long after you've finished it.

Quick quotes

    This short, powerful book is a letter from a Syrian father to his son, on the eve of their journey by sea to a safer place.

    There is no guarantee that they will make it, but the father's love and hope shine through.

    The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a testament to the human spirit.

The New York Times · 2018-09-14
moving 4.25

Illustrated by Dan Williams, 'Sea Prayer' relates a message of universal human despair, but also hope. The delicate cover art belies the blistering politics at the heart of the story.

This reviewer appreciates the book's universal message of despair and hope. The illustrations by Dan Williams are praised for their beauty and how they enhance the text. The story is seen as a powerful commentary on the refugee crisis, capturing the essence of human suffering and the resilience of the human spirit. The reviewer also notes that the delicate cover art belies the blistering politics at the heart of the story. Overall, it's a moving and impactful read that highlights the universal human experience.

Quick quotes

    Illustrated by Dan Williams, 'Sea Prayer' relates a message of universal human despair, but also hope.

    The delicate cover art belies the blistering politics at the heart of the story.

    We find ourselves in the middle of a powerful commentary on the refugee crisis.

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