The story of a young Syrian refugee's attempt to reach Sweden, focusing on her ordeal in icy waters after the dilapidated fishing vessel in which she was traveling--along with 500 others--sinks. Adrift in a frigid sea, no land in sight, Doaa Al Zamel floated with a small inflatable water ring around her waist and clutched two children who had been thrust into her arms by their drowning relatives. Once an average Syrian girl, her life was upended in 2011 by the events of the Arab Spring, and the sinking of the overcrowded refugee boat was where her struggle for survival really began. Fleming uses Zamal's diaries to shed light on the most pressing humanitarian crisis of our time.

A childhood in Syria -- The war begins -- The siege of Daraa -- Life as a refugee -- Love in exile -- The engagement -- Deal with the devil -- The nightmare begins -- All that is left is the sea -- Rescue at the dying hour.