Let’s Go Swimming on Doomsday revolves around the story of Abdi, a Somali refugee placed in many difficult situations. Abdi’s older brother, Dahir, is abducted by the terrorist organization Al Shabaab at a young age, which leaves a lasting effect on Abdi and his family. When Dahir finds himself as a respected general of Al Shabaab, Abdi is forced to join as a spy for the CIA and find out Al Shabaab’s maniacal plans while manipulating his brother. The novel also follows Abdi’s life after his encounters with Al Shabaab as a teen living on the streets, and his difficulty getting over his traumatic past.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories with insane twists and characters with deep, emotional backstories. The reader is constantly left in awe of the bravery Abdi has while protecting his friends and family. Similarly, the book provides an interesting insight into a terrorist organization from the eyes of a soldier, and shows how these people think in comparison to the Western world. This novel is one of the most emotional and saddening Young Adult books one can read.
By Jacob
