With the vivid voice of a great narrator, Maraini takes readers on an unforgettable journey through Afghanistan, China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Palestine, Pakistan, Syria, Tibet, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen. From the personal memories of internment in Nagoya during WWII to the struggles of Afghan women under the Taliban, Maraini offers a unique and empathetic look at the people, cultures, and conflicts shaping the East.

Following in the footsteps of her family of travelers — her grandmother Yoï, her father Fosco, her mother Topazia — Maraini captures the soul of each place with a rare blend of storytelling and reportage. She reflects on pivotal issues: the civil war in Syria, famine in Yemen, gender violence in India, and the resilience of those who resist oppression.