REFUGEES

These books are an interesting and entertaining way to broaden your knowledge on the issue of asylum seekers and refugees.

 

Adult Fiction: 

Under the Persimmon Tree (2005)
By Suzanne Fisher-Staples

​"This widely acclaimed novel explores the relationship between a young American woman and an Afghan girl, Najmah, who is all alone in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The story follows Najmah’s perilous journey through the mountains in search for safety and refuge in Pakistan."
 

 

A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007)

By Khaled Hosseini

"Set against the backdrop of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban, this novel follows the intersecting stories of two Afghan women. It provides an insight into the lives of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime."

 

The Kite Runner (2003)

By Khaled Hosseini
 

"This novel tells the story of the friendship between Amir, the son of a wealthy Pashtun merchant, and Hassan, the son of a Hazara servant. It follows the flight of Amir's family from Afghanistan in the wake of the Soviet invasion and the persecution of Hazaras under the Taliban."
 

 

 

 

Adult Non-fiction:

 

The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir (2010)
By Anh Do
 

"One of Australia's best-loved comedians, Anh Do, depicts his incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story. In his memoir he tells of his family’s treacherous journey from war-torn Vietnam, surviving starvation and pirates in an overcrowded boat. He describes the pleasures and the pitfalls as he grew up in Australia as an outsider, and the struggles that his family faced. This heart-warming book captures Ahn’s gratitude for what he has, and his hope for the future."

 

Child Soldier (2004)

By China Keitetsi

 

"This is a powerful true story of Keitetsi, a child soldier who joined the Ugandan National Resistance Army at just eight years old. Her story details the abuse she suffered at the hands of her officers and how she finally escaped to Europe to start a new life. Now living in Denmark, she is an international campaigner on child soldiers."

 

The People Smuggler: The True Story of Ali Al Jenabi

By Robin De Crespigny

 

The true story of how an Iraqi man suffered at the hands of Saddam Hussein and spent years and years attempting to escape his own country to provide a safer life for his family. After many failed attempts Ali eventually finds himself in Indonesia, where the only way he can get his family to a safer life is through becoming one of the most trusted and honourable people smugglers Indonesia has seen. Ali's family has now been granted Australian citizenship as refugees, however Ali has been denied and is under constant threat of being deported to Iraq. 

 

'Books and novels on refugee and asylum seeker issues' Refugee Council of Australia'