Don't Tell Me You're Afraid

Review It's impossible not to be moved by this heart-wrenching novel based on the true story of Samia Omar . . . [her] voice packs an achingly topical punch, shouting out as an enduring witness to crimes committed by those trafficking in misery and despair. ― Mail on SundayBased on the devastating true story of Somalian athlete Samia Omar, this award-winning Italian novel offers a timely and unforgettable insight into the refugee experience. It is also utterly heartbreaking; whether or not you already know how Samia's story ends. -- Sam Baker ― The PoolCatozzella builds a world. You scrutinize it, you observe it, you are hurt by it. But when you realize that you are in this world too, it is then that you have the feeling that these pages have changed you. -- Roberto Saviano, author of Gomorrah Product Description Based on a remarkable true story, Don't Tell Me You're Afraid is a moving, inspiring novel of a life lived in hope. Samia Omar grows up in war-torn Somalia, dreaming of being a world-class sprinter. She sleeps with a photo of Mo Farah by her bed and trains hard. After achieving a place on the national team to compete in the Beijing Olympics, she sets her sights on the 2012 games in London. But with the war encroaching on the lives of her family, Samia decides to join her sister and make the treacherous journey to Europe, putting her life and her dreams in the hands of traffickers. Book Description Incredible true story retold as a beautifully moving novel. About the Author Giuseppe Catozzella was born in 1976 in Milan. LITTLE WARRIOR, his third novel, won the Premio Strega Giovani Prize 2014, was shortlisted for the Premio Strega Prize 2014, and is being published in over a dozen countries. He has also published a book of poetry and written about culture and the mafia for many Italian magazines and newspapers.