Two sisters by Asne Seierstad

Little, Brown, 2018. ISBN 9780349009049
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Two Sisters is a compelling read which fascinated me from the moment I read the first paragraph. Not only is Asne Seierstad's book an enticing piece of literature but it's partnered with realism and a form of education based around the territory of the Islamic State, extremism and the fear of radicalisation in the human population. Choosing this book, my initial thoughts were that it'd only be an interpretation, a fictional story of the journey to join Islamic State. This was until I found out that Asne Seierstad is not only an author but a freelance journalist with over two decades of war correspondence under her belt who partnered up with the support of the Juma family which this story is based on and I realised my assumptions of this book, its narrative and the author couldn't have been more wrong.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Two Sisters simply because I was able to understand and become informed of a family whose life has been changed since these two sisters, two daughters, friends and family members chose to leave their life in Norway on the 17th of October 2013, to join the Islamic State in war stricken Syria to help Muslim people who have become under attack and in need of critical aid. Reading this book, something clicked in my brain, if you have the ability to help someone, then why wouldn't you help? Maybe the fear of being hurt yourself is what sets human beings back but the strength and utmost bravery these two girls have is admirable and understanding this from a report of sorts is what kept me reading. Asne Seierstad has created an intense, enticing and furthermore investigative book, one that has sparked questions and conversation within myself but internationally to all people who read this piece.
I highly recommend Two Sisters by Asne Seierstad and am looking forward to reading more of Asne's work in the future.
Rylee Bogisch (Student)