Abdi Nazemian: Desert Echoes

„Desert Echoes“ 

Harper / HarperCollins Publishers 2024.
 

Two years have passed since Ash disappeared under mysterious circumstances during an excursion to the Joshua Tree National Park. Kam, who was head over heels in love with Ash, suffers immensely under this loss. Kam’s friends, above all his best buddy Bodie, urge him to forget Ash. But as long as the Iranian-American high school student does not know what happened to his friend – and whether Ash is possibly still alive – he cannot let go. This coming-of-age novel takes place on two narrative planes: on the first level, the two youths are cautiously drawn toward each other, although Kam often feels anxious about Ash’s impulsive behaviour. On a second level, a class trip takes Kam back to the national park, where he is confronted with a challenging truth. In a heart-wrenching and yet hopeful manner, Abdi Nazemian treats topical problems such as loss, racially motivated marginalization, gay attraction, and addiction, and also conveys how much power can be found in friendship, and love.
 

Grade 9 - 12