Seventeen-year-old Jalila spreads her wings in search of freedom and a better world. Her father died in the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, her mother was forced to flee to Sudan.
Because of the hopeless perspective, Jalila decides to flee with her neighbor Idris - with whom she is in love. The afternoon before departure, something happens that has major consequences for both of them. Idris flees headlong. A day later, Jalila also leaves on foot across the border to Ethiopia. As she journeys through a world full of dangers, she holds on to her dream of becoming a nurse; she finds love in the midst of violence, discrimination, chaos and illness and struggles with the loss of Idris and her family.
Will she ever see her family again? Does the event in Aderho disrupt the love between Jalila and Idris forever?
De Vleugels van Jalila (The Wings of Jalila) is a gripping novel, based on true and still current events.
Karin Driegen:
Karin studied art history at Leiden University and worked in education. She lives in the South of France with her British husband and is currently writing full time.
De Vleugels van Jalila (The Wings of Jalila) is her second novel.
