Take What You Can Carry

A Novel

By: Gian Sardar

Narrated by: Vaneh Assadourian

An aspiring photographer follows her dreams and faces her fears in a poignant novel about finding beauty, promise, and love amid the chaos of war-torn Kurdistan.

It’s 1979. Olivia Murray, a secretary at a Los Angeles newspaper, is determined to become a photojournalist and make a difference with her work. When opportunity arrives, she seizes it, accompanying her Kurdish boyfriend, Delan, to northern Iraq for a family wedding, hoping to capture an image that lands her a job in the photo department. More important, though, the trip is a chance to understand Delan’s childhood and bridge the differences of their pasts. Yet when the return home proves less safe than Delan believed, Olivia is confronted with a reality she had not expected. She is awakened to the dangers of a town patrolled by Iraqi military and under curfew and constant threat.

But in this world torn apart by war, there are intoxicating sights and scents, Delan’s loving family, innocence not yet compromised, and small acts of kindness that flourish unexpectedly. All of it will be tested when Olivia captures a shattering, tragic moment on film, one that upends all their lives and proves that true bravery begins with an open heart.

©2021 Gian Schwehr (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Glimpses of love and endurance

A wonderful revelation of character and event in a country and people under constant attack. Living under persecution, always being watched, always compromised, yet still loving and forgiving. Described by an innocent who learns, sees.
This book reveals a world we can’t know.

Terror in the night

I loved the character building that the author did as well as the depth given tho even the smaller parts/people.

The night of the raid & day of Soran’s killing struck me in regard to what is happening now in America. It made me feel for the illegals here who are the good people only looking for a way to live peacefully and work hard.

The terror they must feel when leaders compare ICE to Nazi’s. These people have seen evil, been touched by evil where they came from and came to the place they thought was a dream and for them the PTSD & fear is real and many may regret coming here because they feel no safer here than the places they left. I thank you for showing the emotional side and the love and fear so that I felt it and have more compassion.

An outstanding book

This is a great book. Rich with geography, history and culture of Kurdistan; engaging, complex characters; a touching romance; compelling tension; intense fear; lasting love and hope.

I rarely reread books (too many books, too little time!!!) but I plan to reread this one. About halfway through the book, I noticed that the author was very intentional; nearly every character, scene and conversation had significance. A detail as seemingly minor as watching a flock of birds became meaningful later in the book. I want to go back and pick up on those details. My first read was on Audible; next time will be on Kindle.

Incredible

What an astonishing read!! I loved the way this book flowed through the story. Well developed characters whom I was able to connect with. Well written book. I found that I enjoyed listening and experiencing going through the thoughts and decisions of the main character, was intriguing. This is a story that makes you feel it with all of its tugs on your heart in good and sad ways. I will read more by this author and recommend this book.

Amazing Experience

I will think about this story for many years to come, and will listen again if the images fade. Such an important insight into the Kurdish people and their struggles, told with love and a weaving of words that paints every image into your mind. Please don’t miss this book.