What Strange Paradise Summary
Omar El Akkad

Everything you need to understand or teach What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad.

  • What Strange Paradise Summary & Study Guide

What Strange Paradise Overview

What Strange Paradise is a riveting work of political fiction that chronicles the plight of modern refugees through the story of one 8-year-old Syrian boy, Amir Utu. Omar El Akkad's novel implements third person omniscient narration to alternate between two primary settings: a fishing boat packed with refugees called Calypso, and the small Greek island where its passengers wash up after capsizing. Drawing upon his personal experiences as an Egyptian native and career investigative journalist, El Akkad addresses pairs of opposing themes that define the refugee crisis, including hope and despair, silence and courage, and empathy and discrimination. 

Study Pack

The What Strange Paradise Study Pack contains:
You might also be interested in: