Nadeem’s Journey, by Sherine Anniruth, is a heart-wrenching account of a mother’s agony. This poignant journal vividly captures the real-life experience of the author’s family, as 25-year-old Nadeem is diagnosed with cancer. The excruciating pain and the fear of losing her bright, young son engulf Sherine, but she keeps fighting till the very last moment. Nadeem, holds on to willpower and puts his best foot forward to combat the deadly ailment. But the desperate attempt to reverse the wheel of fate amounts to nothing as the boy’s pessimistic end leaves us grappling with the questions of fate and man’s role in the broader scheme of things. 

The greater part of the story is set in Perth, Australia, although we get a glimpse of the author’s life with Nadeem in South Africa. Nadeem’s sheer courage, intelligence, and talent allow him to blend into the new environment in Perth. The warmth with which the author describes her dear son and his achievements, testify to the love they shared, and how deep an impact his demise has left on her. Since this is a story taken from life, the characters are as real as one can imagine. The bonding among Nadeem and his brother and sister has been depicted beautifully. The people close to Nadeem, be it Sherine herself, her partner, her sister, or Nadeem’s friends, have supported him with all their might during the trying times. They are bound by human limitations, but their love and care for Nadeem have been reflected through every little anecdote that has been recollected in this work. 

Besides capturing Nadeem’s battle with cancer, the story also illustrates a simultaneous battle his mother had been fighting– the battle of snatching her child from the clutches of death. Their resilience and fighter spirit are sure to inspire those going through a similar crisis in life. The simple, lucid, and direct tone hammer home to the readers the gravity of the situation. The author’s honest account brings us to tears, as the pain of losing a child is inexplicably harrowing. Despite being aware of a not so uplifting end to the extraordinary journey, a lingering sense of hope in Anniruth’s tone of writing keeps us hooked in the desire for a romantic miracle.

Pages: 160 | ASIN: B07RRW3GWN