Rafael Pinto is a pharmacist in Sarajevo. He is also gay and a Sephardic Jew. In June of 1914, he is standing outside of his shop when he witnesses the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. From that day forward, Pinto’s life will be one of war, strife, poverty and addiction. For 33 years he travels through Europe and Asia with no passport and no home. However, there are two positives in his otherwise bleak life. While fighting in World War I, he meets Osman, and Arab from Sarajevo, who becomes his lover and gives him the inspiration to stay alive. He also takes care of Osman’s daughter, who he loves and tries his hardest to protect.

The World and All That It Holds takes a while to get into and understand, but eventually I was immersed in Rafael Pinto’s world. His life is sad and there is violence everywhere he travels to, but I kept reading, fervently hoping Pinto would get back to his homeland. The World and All That It Holds is the story of one refugee’s experience during the last century, but it is certainly timely today.