How much do you know about refugees?
Here are 3 new books that will give you insights into issues a refugee could face.
by Rania Abouzied
Review by Daniel Kim
“Abouzeid’s remarkable journalistic and literary work has given us, at last, a book worthy of the enormous tragedy that is Syria,” – New York Times
No Turning Back, by award-winning journalist Rania Abouzeid, takes you on a journey from deep into Assad’s prisons, to the highest levels of Islamic militancy. This book gives you the definitive picture of the current state of Syria, through exploring the lives of many “characters”, from nine-year old Ruha, to the future leader of ISIS, over the span of more than six years.
Here's a short interview with the author you can watch to learn more:
by Clementine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil
Review by Fatima Moses
''Here's my story,'' I said. ''Use it now or later. When you need it, it'll be there for you. Maybe someday you'll be facing a challenge, and you'll think of my story. You'll think of Claire. You'll remember to put your ego in a bag and throw that bag away. You'll remember to be kind and generous and a better human.''
Butare, Rwanda,1994, Clemantine and her 15-year-old sister Claire are forced to flee from the Rwandan massacre that burdened their lives at home. In search for a safer place to grow up, they wander through seven African countries – hungry, imprisoned, abused enduring and escaping refugee camps, witnessing heart-pounding cruelty and finding unexpected care with one burning question: Are mom and dad alive out there?
At twelve, Clemantine and Claire are granted asylum in the US. Now she must unearth her past and claim her individuality after being abused and made less human.
A true and original story about a young girl traumatised by death, hunger and running away, and her struggles of regaining her individuality as a teenager in the US.
‘Extraordinary and heart-rending. Wamariya is as fiercely talented as she is courageous.’ ~ Junot Diaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
by Wendy Pearlman
Reviewed by Fatima Moses
In 2011, millions of Syrians demanded freedom and dignity, and took to the streets. The brutal response by the Government, and the refusal by the demonstrators to back down caused a brutal war that has become the worst humanitarian crisis of our generation.
Pearlman interviewed over 300 Syrian refugees over a period of four years and compiled their stories in this book. She spoke with doctors, students, former soldiers, accountants, TV news reporters, school-teachers, playwrights, stay-at-home mothers, shop keepers, and engineers. This book is a mosaic of intimate interviews that highlights not only the power of storytelling, but the resilience of innocent Syrians demanding justice.
“This was both one of the hardest and one of the most important books I read in years, if not in my life.”
If you want to better understand the conflict in Syria, these books are excellent.
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