Singled Out Summary and Analysis

Frightened and inconsolable, the women and small children of Gish "moved through the streets and in the garden plots like solemn apparitions" (p. 62). Elias' father and three older brothers were taken, leaving his mother and three small children to tend to their basic needs. Katoub became the "rock" of the village, gathering her strength from prayer and faith, consoling and encouraging the other women of the village. Elias found himself seeking out longer periods of solitude, talking to Jesus and praying for the safe return of the village men and boys. It was during this time that he began to feel that the message from Jesus was peace, and he offered himself to that end, if he could be of use.

A few months later, father and brothers returned with their tale of betrayal and terror. They had been...