Hinterland

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Two boys, aged fourteen and eight, embark on a perilous journey across Europe with only the clothes on their backs and a dwindling inheritance hidden in a belt. Their destination is England, a future they can no longer wait for in Afghanistan. The older brother, Aryan, teaches his sibling Kabir the capitals of the countries they will traverse, a way to stay connected should they become separated. They recite a list of cities—Kabul, Tehran, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Paris, London—clinging to the hope of a better life. Their adventure is marked by moments of boyish wonder but also harsh realities, including hunger, exhaustion, and the threat of violence. They face exploitation and must rely on untrustworthy strangers for help. Caroline Brothers, who first encountered these "lost boys" as a journalist in makeshift refugee camps in France, sought to delve deeper into their experiences. Her report gained attention in the *New York Times*, but she aimed to tell their story with empathy and depth. Her debut novel raises critical questions about the global community's responsibilities toward vulnerable children. It is a poignant tale of love and courage, capturing the indomitable spirit of two brothers on an unforgettable journey.