The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and my fight against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad. This book describes Nadia’s powerful and heartbreaking expedition of survival and advocacy, from her life in Iraq before ISIS to her escape from captivity and her role as a worldwide advocate for Yazidi rights.
Chapter-One: Kocho
This manuscript opens with Nadia Murad describing her peaceful life in Kocho, a small village in northern Iraq, where she lived with her family. Kocho was a Yazidi village, a religious minority in Iraq. She vividly recalls her upbringing, encircled by love, family, and her dreams of becoming a teacher or owning a beauty salon. Her life revolved around her large, close-knit family.
This chapter emphasizes the sense of community in Kocho and introduces readers to the Yazidi faith, a peaceful religion that believes in one God but has been traditionally misunderstood and persecuted. Nadia contrasts this simple, beautiful life with the threat that began to loom as ISIS started gaining ground in the region.
Chapter: Two: The Invasion
As ISIS advanced, fear spread through the Yazidi community. When ISIS captured Sinjar, the district that includes Kocho, Nadia describes how the villagers hoped the violence would pass them by. Unfortunately, Kocho was not spared. ISIS invaded the village, and Nadia recounts the chilling ultimatum they were given: convert to Islam or be killed.
The men were separated from the women and massacred. Nadia witnessed the execution of her brothers and many male relatives. This chapter brilliantly describes the disgust and heartbreak of that day, and it sets the stage for what will become Nadia’s personal nightmare.
Chapter- Three: Enslavement
Nadia and the new women of Kocho, including her mother, were taken by ISIS to the city of Mosul. Here, they were separated by age, appearance, and perceived value. Nadia and many other girls were chosen to be sex slaves, part of ISIS’s systematic campaign of sexual violence against Yazidi women.
Nadia details the process of being sold and resold, as she was passed between multiple men. She describes the brutality of the beatings, rapes, and psychological torture she endured. The chapter is deeply painful to read, and Nadia doesn’t shy away from recounting the violence in order to ensure that the truth of ISIS’s atrocities is known.
Chapter- Four: Captivity in Mosul
This chapter provides more insight into Nadia’s life in captivity. She describes her various captors, many of whom were ISIS fighters who took part in massacres and other atrocities. Nadia speaks of the overpowering feelings of despair and hopelessness during this time, trapped with little hope of escape.
Nadia also discusses the broader system of ISIS slavery, where women were reduced to commodities and sold at markets, much like livestock. This chapter helps readers understand the organized and systemic nature of ISIS’s brutality toward Yazidis.
Chapter- Five: Escape
Despite the crushing despair, Nadia found the strength to escape. After months of mistreatment, she finally managed to slip away from her captor’s house in Mosul. With the help of a Muslim family, who risked their own lives to shelter her, she managed to escape from ISIS territory and eventually reached safety in a refugee camp.
This chapter is one of the most triumphant, yet bittersweet, as Nadia’s relief at escaping is tempered by the knowledge that many others are still in captivity. Nadia’s story of survival underscores her resilience and valor, even in the face of unimaginable terror.
Chapter- Six: Rebuilding Life
Following her escape, Nadia initially struggled to rebuild her life. She was physically free, but the psychological scars of her torment were profound. This chapter focuses on her time in a refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan, where she was reunited with some of her surviving family members. Nadia talks about the difficulties of trying to adjust to life after captivity, especially with the knowledge of what she and her community had endured.
At this juncture, Nadia also began to feel a growing responsibility to speak out on behalf of the Yazidis, particularly the women and girls who were still in ISIS captivity.
Chapter- Seven: Becoming a Voice
As word of Nadia’s story spread, she was invited to speak to international audiences about her experiences. She began to travel, first to Europe and then around the world, sharing her story and advocating for the rescue of Yazidi women and the prosecution of ISIS for war crimes and genocide.
Nadia recounts the challenges of public speaking, particularly when sharing such a traumatic personal story. She struggled with guilt for having survived while others had not, but she was driven by the hope that her voice could make a difference.
Chapter- Eight: Seeking Justice
Nadia’s advocacy turned to seeking justice for the Yazidi people. She began to work closely with human rights organizations and the United Nations, pushing for the world to recognize the atrocities committed by ISIS as genocide. Nadia met with world leaders, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and U.N. officials, urging them to take action.
She speaks about her frustration with the slow response of the international community, which often seemed indifferent or overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. Despite these challenges, Nadia remained determined to see ISIS held accountable.
Chapter- Nine: The Nobel Peace Prize
In 2018, Nadia’s efforts were recognized on the global stage when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She shared the prize with Dr. Denis Mukwege (Pakistan), a Congolese doctor who had treated countless victims of sexual violence. Nadia describes the overwhelming emotions she felt upon receiving the prize, particularly as she saw it not just as recognition of her work but as a victory for all Yazidi survivors.
This chapter is a powerful reflection on what the Nobel Prize meant for her personally and for the Yazidi cause. Nadia reiterates that the award is a symbol of hope for justice, but that the real work rescuing the captives and bringing ISIS members to trial was still far from finished.
Conclusion: The Fight Continues
Nadia closes the book with a reflection on her journey and her mission moving forward. She emphasizes that her fight is far from over. While her personal life has changed drastically, she now lives in Europe, far from the village she once called home her heart remains with the Yazidi people still suffering under the aftermath of ISIS’s brutal campaign.
She calls for continued global action to bring ISIS to justice, free those still in captivity, and rebuild Yazidi communities. Nadia’s final message is one of resilience and determination. She refuses to allow the world to forget about the genocide committed against her people, and she vows to continue her advocacy until justice is achieved.
Conclusion
The Last Girl is a searing and unflinching account of unimaginable suffering, but also of immense courage and strength. Nadia Murad’s memoir provides a deeply personal insight into the Yazidi genocide, the horrors of ISIS’s brutality, and the resilience of those who survived. Her story is not just one of personal survival but a call to action for the world to recognize and address the injustices that have been done to her people.
The book also touches upon important themes of human rights, gender based violence, and the responsibility of the international community to act in the face of atrocities. Nadia’s journey from a small village in Iraq to becoming a global advocate for justice serves as a reminder that even in the face of extreme darkness, the human spirit can endure and fight back.
Nadia’s ultimate message is clear: while she may be the “last girl” of her village, her story is not just hers it is the story of all those who suffered and go on with to suffer. Through her advocacy, she is determined to ensure that the Yazidi genocide is not forgotten and that justice is served.