More to the Story - conversations with refugees
More to the story is a powerful and timely book that reveals the voices of ordinary Australians who did extraordinary things to survive before coming to this country as refugees and asylum seekers.
About the Book
Author Rosemary Sayer has written a book that puts a human face to the suffering depicted in the global refugee crisis. Her unease with the negative, often politicised debate dehumanising refugees and asylum seekers led her to go beyond media reports, political speeches and statistics convincing her there was more to the story. As part of her research Sayer spent time in the refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border.
The book combines history, commentary and personal memoir with deeply personal interviews and conversations. More to the Story takes readers on a two and a half year journey with Sayer as she meets and gets to know refugees from Burma, Afghanistan and South Sudan. She asks the questions we would all like to ask. Sayer helps us identify with the refugees by showing them leading everyday lives in Australia with their families before she skilfully propels the reader into their past stories of bravery, sacrifice and suffering.
The book is written with great empathy and humility, capturing each person’s resilience and strong will to survive. Despite the sadness, Sayer manages to convey a sense of hope and optimism for those who have made a new life in Australia.
Long-time human rights campaigner, Julian Burnside AO, QC, writes in his foreword to the book: “Anyone who reads this book should try to deal with one serious challenge: imagine yourself in the shoes of a refugee, someone similar to those whose stories are told here…this is not just another book about refugees.”
More to the Story –conversations with refugees makes an important contribution to the national debate about people who, through no fault of their own, have become embroiled in one of the central political and moral issues of our time.
Reviews and Press
‘More to the Story fulfils its brief admirably: it provides understanding, depth and nuance to a subject that is often discussed in heated headlines.’ Books + Publishing.
‘This is a deeply affecting and timely book..’ Readings
‘There are many stories of tragedy and triumph here that the country might hear one day above the sloganising.’ SMH
‘ A must read!’ writingWA
‘I’d like to think that this book might become widely read.’ ANZ LitLovers LitBlog
‘This is not just a book of powerful stories, but also an important contribution to the history and politics of Australia’s dealings with refugees since the rescue of a boatload of refugees by the Norwegian freighter Tampa in 2001.’ Maureen Helen
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