A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea

One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival

By: Melissa Fleming

Narrated by: Robin Miles

The stunning story of a young woman, an international crisis, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Adrift in a frigid sea, no land in sight - just debris from the ship's wreckage and floating corpses all around - 19-year-old Doaa Al Zamel floats with a small inflatable water ring around her waist and clutches two children, barely toddlers, to her body. The children had been thrust into Doaa's arms by their drowning relatives, all refugees who boarded a dangerously overcrowded ship bound for Sweden and a new life. For days Doaa floats, prays, and sings to the babies in her arms. She must stay alive for these children. She must not lose hope.

Doaa Al Zamel was once an average Syrian girl growing up in a crowded house in a bustling city near the Jordanian border. But in 2011 her life was upended. Inspired by the events of the Arab Spring, Syrians began to stand up against their own oppressive regime. When the army was sent to take control of Doaa's hometown, strict curfews, power outages, water shortages, air raids, and violence disrupted everyday life. After Doaa's father's barbershop was destroyed and rumors of women being abducted spread through the community, her family decided to leave Syria for Egypt, where they hoped to stay in peace until they could return home. Only months after their arrival, the Egyptian government was overthrown, and the environment turned hostile for refugees.

In the midst of this chaos, Doaa fell in love with a young opposition fighter who proposed marriage and convinced her to flee to the promise of safety and a better future in Europe. Terrified and unable to swim, Doaa and her young fiancé handed their life savings to smugglers and boarded a dilapidated fishing vessel with 500 other refugees, including 100 children. After four horrifying days at sea, another ship, filled with angry men shouting insults, rammed into Doaa's boat, sinking it and leaving the passengers to drown.

That is where Doaa's struggle for survival really begins.

A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea is an emotionally charged, eye-opening true story that represents the millions of unheard voices of refugees who risk everything in a desperate search for the promise of a safe future. Melissa Fleming sheds light on the most pressing humanitarian crisis of our time and paints a vivid, unforgettable portrait of the triumph of the human spirit.

©2017 Melissa Fleming (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

To understanding the plight of Syrian refugees

a compelling and heart wrenching story of survival. Begs the question of what more should we be doing to help these people.

Incredible Story

I was in Italy the summer before this event happened. I remember hearing about the scores of refugees who drowned at sea seeking peace in Europe’s embrace. This story is reply moving, painful, and important to hear. I hope as our global community continues to react to our refugee populations that we will find ways to come together and support those who need it most. Thanks for sharing this story and helping me see things from another’s perspective.

Intense Human Face on Syria, and it's People!

This book is very well written, full, and hard to put down.

I Highly Reccomend!

Amazing Story of Courage

What did you love best about A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea?

A very enlightening book about the struggles of a Syrian refugee woman. A look at a life that I knew nothing about. I am a changed person and have much more compassion toward the people of these war torn countries.

Which character – as performed by Robin Miles – was your favorite?

Doa was a very brave strong woman.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not sure but ut would be great.

Any additional comments?

A must read if you care to get a first hand account of a refugees struggle and pain.

Valuable and unforgettable

I hope you listen to this story. I found it incredibly affecting and eye-opening. While quite painful to read, it was also deeply inspiring, and taught me about the Syrian refugee experience while reminding me to be grateful for my own lucky circumstances like a slap in the face.