The Last Girl

My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State

By: Nadia Murad, Amal Clooney - introduction

Narrated by: Ilyana Kadushin

WINNER OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE • In this “courageous” (The Washington Post) memoir of survival, a former captive of the Islamic State tells her harrowing and ultimately inspiring story.

Nadia Murad was born and raised in Kocho, a small village of farmers and shepherds in northern Iraq. A member of the Yazidi community, she and her brothers and sisters lived a quiet life. Nadia had dreams of becoming a history teacher or opening her own beauty salon.

On August 15th, 2014, when Nadia was just twenty-one years old, this life ended. Islamic State militants massacred the people of her village, executing men who refused to convert to Islam and women too old to become sex slaves. Six of Nadia’s brothers were killed, and her mother soon after, their bodies swept into mass graves. Nadia was taken to Mosul and forced, along with thousands of other Yazidi girls, into the ISIS slave trade.

Nadia would be held captive by several militants and repeatedly raped and beaten. Finally, she managed a narrow escape through the streets of Mosul, finding shelter in the home of a Sunni Muslim family whose eldest son risked his life to smuggle her to safety.

Today, Nadia's story—as a witness to the Islamic State's brutality, a survivor of rape, a refugee, a Yazidi—has forced the world to pay attention to an ongoing genocide. It is a call to action, a testament to the human will to survive, and a love letter to a lost country, a fragile community, and a family torn apart by war.

Critic reviews

A New York Times Editors' Choice

“This devastating memoir unflinchingly recounts Murad’s experiences and questions the complicity of witnesses who acquiesced in the suffering of others.” —The New Yorker

"Her book is sobering—and an inspiration." —People

“A harrowing memoir. . . . Intricate in historical context. . . . The Last Girl leaves readers with urgent, incendiary questions.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Murad gives us a window on the atrocities that destroyed her family and nearly wiped out her vulnerable community. This is a courageous memoir that serves as an important step toward holding to account those who committed horrific crimes.” —The Washington Post

“This is likely the most inspiring feminist memoir out this year.” —Bustle

“Nadia Murad's courageous account is horrific and essential reading. . . . Anyone who wants to understand the so-called Islamic State should read The Last Girl.” —The Economist

"Fascinating." —Vulture

“Surpassingly valuable. . . . With her new book, The Last Girl, Nadia Murad has assumed the stature of an Elie Wiesel for her people. . . . As much as it is an account of the Yazidi genocide, the book is also a loving ode to a way of life that has now been all but obliterated.” —Jewish Journal

“A harrowing and brave book, a testament to human resilience.” —The Progressive

"A devastating yet ultimately inspiring memoir that doubles as an urgent call to action.” —Kirkus

“Brilliant and intense. . . . a clear-eyed account of ISIS’s cruelty.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Powerful. . . . A heartbreaking elegy to a lost community.” —Booklist

Powerful and humbling.

Nadia uncovers the darkest parts of humanity with dignity, strength, and courage. Her story needs to be heard by all, especially in the US. We must do better as a people.

SO WORTH A LISTEN

Noddea's story is more than hard to hear, but it is worth the listen. Thank you to all the people who are willing to tell their story and uncover the truth.

Excellent

An incredible story and heartbreaking to hear, but must be told. A families love for one another... a cultures story on how it many attempted to rip it from the history books. A story of a young girl, who suffered terribly, and to an end the few know and understand. But her story is needed... many people need to not just listen to it, but to hear it. To actually hear what it is like to live under ISIS rule. To hear how ISIS treats it's own people but also those who dont believe in its ways. It was hard listening to this being a US Military member. I only wish I could have gone to join the fight against ISIS directly... but I wasnt able... This story however, is that reminder as to why I chose to serve, and why we must continue the fight against them.

A compelling story about the dangers of religious intolerance.

The story was simultaneously unbelievable and heartbreaking. This woman’s life is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It is also a warning about the dangers of religious intolerance. No one should have to endure such suffering in the name of religion. The author’s arc from victim to warrior is inspiring. I did find that the narrator tended to end too many sentences in the tone of a question rather than a statement, and wondered if that was the author’s choice or not. Other than that, this book is well worth a listen. Everyone should know Nadia’s story!

Staggering truth

This was hard to read. The suffering is and was great, yet we know so little of the plight of the Yazidi people. The news doesn't give enough attention to the issue.