Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The unexpected loss of a loved one often leaves deep scars that can endure long after the event. Dalia Abdulfatah experienced such a trauma when her close friend, family member, and confidant Talal was tragically killed in a motor car accident at just 19. It was an unusual relationship as Talal was her biological uncle, but, due to a complicated family history, was two years younger than she was, and more like a brother to her. Talal assumed the role of friend and mentor, and the bond was profound. At the time of Talal’s untimely passing, Dalia was just 21 and was devastated. She not only mourned the loss of a dear companion but had feelings of guilt, anger, and regret because she felt that she had not said a proper goodbye when they last interacted. What followed was a twenty-year-long struggle to come to terms with his death, regain her lost identity, and heal the wounds of the past. Breaking the Silence reflects on a life cut short, its impact on those left to mourn, their coping mechanisms, and their road to acceptance and healing.

Dalia Abdulfatah shares her innermost thoughts on her relationship with Talal and the aftermath of his death. In Breaking the Silence, she describes a remarkable human being, a young man blessed with wisdom beyond his years, who was on the threshold of a medical career. Talal embodied all the noblest characteristics, which included generosity, warmth, heart, selflessness, and serenity. He was a beacon to all around him. This book goes beyond coping with grief. It is a personal glimpse into the lives of a family that had endured joy, separation, and tragedy. It delves into the family dynamic, which was complex and troubled at times. While set in Saudi Arabia, the emotions and experiences are universal and relatable. It also serves as a living memorial to a loved one whose light shone for a brief moment but was extinguished all too soon. Breaking the Silence asks what defines us. Is it our past, our experiences, our traumas, our work, or rather our humanity and soul? Finding our spirituality is a path to renewal and becomes a way of being. This is a story of love that overshadowed loss. The writing has a poetic quality that rises above grief and despair to project a rare warmth and compassion. It is both sincere and inspiring.