A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

A quote from children’s television show personality Fred Rogers, serves as the book’s epigraph. Mr. Rogers remembers his mother’s response to scary things on the news: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 

The book opens with a short prologue that introduces the book’s omniscient narrator: Destiny. Usually an abstract concept that refers to the unavoidable fate mapped out for a person, in this instance, Destiny has a voice, speaking in first person. Destiny will serve as the narrator.

Destiny addresses the reader: “You were born to die. In that I have no say” (1). Destiny highlights the weaknesses of the human heart, which detract from the achievements of the human mind:

Your chest is a vault for your jealousy, prejudices and regrets—emotions that you once released through sharp tongues and bare hands. Until your tongues and hands were replaced with swords and poisons-and now bullets and bombs (2). 

Destiny opens the first chapter, introducing Tareq, the young boy that the book will follow: “I like Tareq. I always have. The night the fair-haired boy came into the world, I swear I saw the moon smile” (7).