North to Paradise

A Memoir

By: Ousman Umar, Kevin Gerry Dunn - translator

Narrated by: Kwesi Busia

The inspiring true story of one man’s treacherous boyhood journey from a rural village in Ghana to the streets of Barcelona—and the path that led him home.

Ousman Umar is a shaman’s son born in a small village in Ghana. Though his mother died giving birth, he spent a contented childhood working the fields, setting traps in the jungle, and living off the land. Still, as strange and wondrous flying machines crisscrossed the skies overhead, Ousman dreamed of a different life. And so, when he was only twelve years old, he left his village and began what would be a five-year journey to Europe.

Every step of the way, as he traveled across the Sahara desert, through the daunting metropolises of Accra, Tripoli, Benghazi, and Casablanca, and over the sea aboard a packed migrant dinghy, Ousman was handed off like merchandise by a loose network of smugglers and in the constant, foreboding company of “sinkers”: other migrants who found themselves penniless and alone on their way north, unable to continue onward or return home.

But on a path rife with violence, exploitation, and racism, Ousman also encountered friendship, generosity, and hope. North to Paradise is a visceral true story about the stark realities of life along the most dangerous migrant route across Africa; it is also a portrait of extraordinary resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges, the beauty of kindness in strangers, and the power of giving back.

©2019 Ousman Umar. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2022 by Kevin Gerry Dunn.

Critic reviews

“With unerring humanity, Umar brings instances of light to his sobering tale through moving recollections of the friendships that bolstered him and moments of ‘divine intervention’ that led him to finally find a new home in Spain. This is a stunning testament to the strength of the human spirit.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Both sobering and inspiring, this story about a young African man’s awakening to the realities of an often uncaring world offers a compelling portrait of humanity at its ignorant worst and enlightened best. A candid and provocative memoir from a determined man.”—Kirkus Reviews

Heartrending nd eye opening

Very sad story, but also inspiring. This was a tough listen Opened my eyes to other parts of the world.

Inspiring and perfect for our time!

I absolutely love this book! I love how the author shared his life, I love the performance, and I am in awe of the story itself. Emigrants seeking a better life is one of mankind’s oldest stories, and remains in the headlines throughout the world. Here in the US today it is a major point of contention, I wish more Americans would read this book and see the world through an emigrants eyes. At one time all of our families were emigrants, think about that and be kind when you meet someone trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Riveting Story

The author’s attitude more than anything is what made his life a success, and this provides such a strong example to any reader. It’s a an inspiring read, told with wonderful writing.

Inspiring and captivating story!

Loved it! Great reminder of how good we have it in the west! Hard to imagine a 12 year old going through all this!

cool book about the story of immigration

quick book read from the experience of one immigrant who made it.

a very easy read