A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park is truly a book like no other. It is about a young boy, Salva, in Southern Sudan in 1985, juxtaposed with the story of a young girl in Southern Sudan, Nya, in 2008. Both children struggle with poverty, war and the harshness of the desert environment. Nya's primary conflict is the terrible drought that has struck her village, and for Salva it is escaping becoming a child soldier in the civil war after he is taken from his village. The story is unique because it juxtaposes history with the present, talks about serious and important conflicts, and is based on true events.
First and foremost, A Long Walk to Water is a unique and interesting read because of how it flows effortlessly from timeline to timeline, and explains serious and intense conflicts. The book starts off with Nya, explaining the brutal "Heat. Time. And thorns," that she must endure every day as she makes the journey to and from a muddy pond to fetch water for her family. It transitions to the life of Salva, which takes place almost 20 years earlier, but is almost identical. "“Salva was well aware of how lucky he was to be able to go to school. He could not attend the entire year." He and Nya are both controlled by the harsh climate and need for water, but this is where their paths diverge. Salva is surrounded by "“smoke and dust, he couldn’t see the school building anymore. He tripped and almost fell. No more looking back.” He is forced to abandon his village, and is almost kidnapped to join the rebel army. Civil war ravaged Southern Sudan in Salva's time, and poverty continues to plague Nya. A Long Walk To Water deals with these conflicts brutally but honestly and brings the horrors of war to light.
In addition, A Long Walk to Water is important because of how it is based on a true story, and real historical events. Many young men and boys we forced to flee South Sudan during Salva's time to escape being forced into fighting in their bloody civil war. Many of those young men endured terrible hardships while trying to escape the war. Salva Dut and a small party of refugees trekked across the Akobo desert. The journey was harsh and near fatal for many. “The sun was relentless and eternal: There was neither wisp of cloud nor whiff of breeze for relief." Nya too, faced terrible suffering. Her younger sister Akeer, drank unpurified water. Illness was common, and people had to face it every day. “For the elderly and for small children, the illness could be dangerous. Unable to hold anything in their systems, many of them starved to death, even with food right in front of them," said the passage. Nya has to risk a dangerous journey to a clinic with her terribly ill sister, but also with the horrible knowledge that she was powerless to protect her from getting sick again.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is the true story of the experiences of Salva Dut, combined with the fictional character Nya. Nya, however, was a combination of many travelers and villagers that had struggled with finding water and other issues. It is meant to show the plight of many people in the world, as well as the horrors of war, and how we can help our fellow citizens of the globe. Nya's life is totally changed when a well is drilled in her village. She no longer has to go fetch water for hours a day, and can finally go to school. She doesn't have to fear for the health and safety of her sister. Salva was saved by his own determination, devotion and strength, as well as a few compassionate people along the way. A Long Walk to Water is an incredible story sigh a lot to teach everyone, and a beautiful novel about the resilience and strength of human nature.
This work contains Excerpts From: Linda Sue Park. “A Long Walk to Water.” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (www.hmhco.com).
This material may be protected by copyright.
No comments:
Post a Comment