‘North to Paradise’ is a short work of non-fiction about a long journey, as Ousman Umar leaves his rural Ghanian village for a better life in ‘the land of the whites’ - his term for Europe, on a journey that takes five years. It’s a dangerous undertaking that leads him into dangerous situations with some unscrupulous people.

He leaves behind his father, the local village shaman, and the rest of his family when young - he’s not sure of his exact age, but it seems he’s around 12 or 134. He’s lucky to survive the trip across the desert, with some of his fellow travellers dying along the way. He then finds himself at the mercy of traffickers as he journeys through Libya, where he spends a number of years, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania.

The book is an insight into the perilous trip that migrants make to better their lives. Ousman’s story is harrowing and scary, and he shows amazing strength and resilience to complete his journey. He also recognises that he’s one of the lucky ones, and that much of his luck depends on the kindness of the people he meets along the way.

‘North to Paradise’ by Ousman Umar is not the greatest work of literature I’ve ever read, and one of my shorter book reviews, but it doesn’t matter in the face of such a inspiring story about a young man and his desire to better himself. Recommended if you want to know about many of the dangers migrants face as they set out for a better life.

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North to Paradise’ by Ousman Umar

159 pages

Published March 1st 2022 by Amazon Crossing