Book Review: Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis

Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis is, without question, one of the most harrowing and depressing books I’ve ever read. I can’t even begin to describe how deeply it affected me. I teared up several times, and at one point, I broke down and cried. This isn’t just a story. It’s a memoir and true account of someone’s life, which makes it all the more painful to absorb. The fact that such atrocities happened to a real person, and not in some distant era but within our lifetime, is truly devastating. Yet, despite the overwhelming sadness, this book has become one of my favourites, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, although i must warn you that you’ll need a strong heart to get through it.

Without giving away too many details, this book tells the story of Mende Nazer, a young Sudanese girl whose village was ruthlessly raided. Her family was slaughtered, and she was captured and sold into slavery by Arabs, eventually becoming a servant for other Sudanese of a different caste. The book reveals the grim reality of slavery and caste discrimination in Sudan, painting a vivid picture of the dehumanising effects of these systems. Mende's story is not just one of survival, but also a heartbreaking illustration of how deeply entrenched these forms of oppression are, and how they continue to thrive in various parts of the world today.

What strikes me most about this memoir is the glaring injustice of it all. Regardless of skin colour, caste, nationality, or whatever else people use to segregate and devalue one another, we are all human beings, and none of us is inherently better than another. Yet, in this story, Mende was enslaved in her own homeland simply because of her darker skin and lower caste. To her captors and those who 'owned' her, she was not a person, but property, all because of arbitrary societal rules that placed one group above another. What’s truly disheartening is the knowledge that this is not a thing of the past. Slavery, discrimination, and caste-based oppression still exist today, both in Sudan and in other parts of the world.

Reading this book was a deeply emotional experience, but it was also an important reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Mende’s resilience, her ability to survive and eventually reclaim her freedom, is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a story of unimaginable suffering, but also of hope, perseverance, and the will to live. Mende's story stands as a testament to the countless others who have endured similar fates and serves as a stark reminder that we, as a global community, need to do more to end such practices.

For me, stories about strong women have always resonated, and Mende’s journey is one of the most powerful I’ve encountered. Even though the book left me feeling emotionally drained, it’s an important read, and I’m glad I finished it. This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve read the final page.

If I could give one piece of advice based on this memoir, it would be this: as human beings, we need to rise above the superficial differences that divide us. Whether it’s skin colour, language, nationality, or caste, these are all constructs that have no bearing on our worth as individuals. Our shared humanity should bind us, not divide us. No one deserves to be dehumanised or enslaved, and it is up to all of us to challenge and dismantle the systems that perpetuate such injustices.

Though I’m typically the kind of person who keeps my favourite books to myself, I would happily gift a hard copy of Slave to a friend. It’s a book that needs to be read and shared, even if it’s difficult to get through. The emotional toll it takes is worth it because it shines a light on a dark reality that still needs our attention. I implore you to read it and reflect on its lessons.