Take What You Can Carry: A Novel

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An aspiring photographer follows her dreams and faces her fears in a poignant novel about finding beauty, promise, and love amid the chaos of war-torn Kurdistan. It's 1979. Olivia Murray, a secretary at a Los Angeles newspaper, is determined to become a photojournalist and make a difference with her work. When opportunity arrives, she seizes it,

Reviews

This is an unforgettable story about war and family, responsibility and love, but Sardar also pays tribute to the priceless connections we forge at the most terrible momentsA heartbreaking story about war, family, and love. Kirkus Reviews Olivia is a secretary at a Los Angeles newspaper aspiring to be a photojournalist, so when her Kurdish boyfriend Delan is invited home to Iraq for a wedding, she sees tagging along as her chance to not only broaden her work, but to learn more about Delans culture. In 1979, Iraq is plagued by war and when the trip proves to be even less safe than they anticipated, Olivia is confronted with a side of the world shes never experienced. But amid the war is beauty, family, and loveuntil Olivia captures a tragic moment and upends all of their lives. Buzzfeed Timely, romantic, and thrilling from start to finish, Gian Sardar crafts a story with great beauty and heartbreak, reminding us the harder we work to truly know one another, the better we come to understand ourselves. Those of us who love books know this is exactly why we read. Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor At once heartbreaking and hopeful, this storys magic is in the power its characters have to lovea partner, a family, a homeland, a peopledeeply and unconditionally. I was gripped by Gian Sardars emotional storytelling until the final page. Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of More Than Words Lush and sensual and dangerous, Take What You Can Carry is an eye-opening story that deserves to be told. Gian Sardars prose is breathtaking; and her book took me on a fascinating journey that Id never before imagined. A true original. Janelle Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Things and Watch Me Disappear Take What You Can Carry by Gian Sardar is a beautifully written, absorbing novel that swept me away to 1979 Kurdistan and Los Angeles. Filled with richly drawn characters, its by turns a love story and a war story, a coming-of-age and a tragedy, but ultimately a story about hope and the depth of family bonds. Lush, atmospheric, and gorgeous, this is an unforgettable novel. Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time With lush, vivid settings, Take What You Can Carry is a story of love and family, and of the heartbreaking power of returning home to the place that knows you best. Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight Take What You Can Carry is that rare dream of a novel that transports readers to a time and placelate 1970s Kurdistan, Iraqwith the power and immediacy of a lush perfume. Sardar delivers a high-stakes love story between a Kurdish immigrant turned Hollywood actor and a fierce aspiring photojournalist that uncovers the burden and blessing of family, ambition, and privilege during times of political upheaval. A thoroughly modern journey to the recent past, this novel is an aching pleasure, a revelation. Yoojin Grace Wuertz, author of Everything Belongs to Us Take What You Can Carry is a poignant tale of love and loss, persecution and betrayal. Gian Sardar vividly portrays the heartbreak of two lovers swept up in a political turmoil that threatens to tear them apart as it rips at the fabric of the Kurdish way of life. Its both a sweeping love story and an epic adventure that will have you frantically turning pages while brushing away tears. Bianca Marais, author of Hum If You Dont Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh Set forth in vivid, propulsive writing, Take What You Can Carry is a love story that is also a love song to the Kurdish people and an adventure tale that balances the risks of ambition with the costs of responsibility. Blending romance and near history, Gian Sardar has produced a tale filled with indelible images and characters one comes to know as family. A rich and satisfying read. Meg Howrey, author of The Wanderers Take What You Can Carry is a beautifully crafted, heartrending portrait of the disparate worlds of America and Kurdistan in the 1970s woven together with an epic love story that is rich, tragic, compelling, and realized with deep care and insight. Powerful and moving. Suzanne Redfearn, bestselling author of In an Instant Take What You Can Carry is a heart-wrenching journey of understanding between two worlds as foreign as they are familiar that will change everything you thought you knew about Iraq. Kristin Fields, author of A Lily in the Light and A Frenzy of Sparks

Author Bio

Gian Sardar was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father is from Kurdistan of Iraq, and her mother is from Minnesota. She studied creative writing at Loyola Marymount University, is the author of the novel You Were Here, and is the coauthor of the memoir Psychic Junkie. Gians work has appeared in the New York Times and Confrontation Magazine and on Salon.com, among other places. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and insane dog, and she enjoys gardening, cooking, and other forms of procrastination. For more information, visit www.giansardar.com.