** BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK 29 JUNE - 3 JULY 2020 READ BY SANJEEV BHASKAR (GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME, THE KUMARS AT NO. 42 AND MORE) ** 'Enthralling ... A fascinating insight' Daily Mail'An inspiring read' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 LiveA powerful tale of a family in crisis, and a moving love letter to the NHS.Herat, Afghanistan, 2000. Amother speaks out against thefundamentalist leaders of hercountry. Meanwhile, her family'swatchful eyes never leave theirbeloved son and brother, whoserare heart condition means thathe will never lead a normal life.When the Taliban gave an order forthe execution of Hamed Amiri's mother,the family knew they had to escape,starting what would be a long anddangerous journey, across Russia andthrough Europe, with the UK as theirultimate destination.Travelling as refugees for a year and ahalf, they suffered attacks from mafia andpolice; terrifying journeys in strangers'cars; treks across demanding terrain;days spent hidden in lorries without foodor drink; and being robbed at gunpoint ofevery penny they owned.The family's need to reach the UKwas intensified by their eldest son'sdeteriorating condition, and the prospectof life-saving treatment it offered.The Boy with Two Hearts is not only atale of a family in crisis, but a love letterto the NHS, which provided hope andreassurance as they sought asylum in theUK and fought to save their loved ones.
