Zeitoun

I read this book in 2013, several years after its publication. In the past few years certain events have taken place with the Zeitoun family that have significantly influenced my perception of these characters and events before I even picked up the book. In essence, I approached reading this book knowing the characters' future, and I couldn't help that it colored how I saw their story. Info within the spoiler.

Zeitoun beats Kathy several times, once with a tire iron out in public. He then tries to hire someone to kill her and their son. mylink text

Even knowing the information laid out in the spoiler before reading this book, my heart still went out to Zeitoun and the rest of the family as I read about their ordeal during and after Hurricane Katrina. The book is extremely well written, maximizing the intensity of every situation. At times I was literally on the edge of my seat, leaning forward as if that could somehow help me read faster.