Category: Immigrant story

Martyr! – Kaveh Akbar

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel Cryus Shams is an Iranian immigrant and a recently sober poet grappling with addiction, cultural disconnection and the loss of his mother, whose plane was shot down by the US navy. In his exploration of what it means to… Continue Reading “Martyr! – Kaveh Akbar”

Backwaters – Emma Ling Sidnam

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Backwaters addresses the consequences of feeling distant from your ethnic heritage. It starts with fourth generation New Zealander, Laura, being asked “but where are you from from?” New Zealand has been her family’s birth place and home for generations,… Continue Reading “Backwaters – Emma Ling Sidnam”

Netherland – Joseph O’Neill

 READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy In Netherland, we follow immigrant Dutchman Hans van den Broek, a financial analyst and cricket enthusiast, across a period of social turmoil following the 911 terror attacks on New York City. At the same time, Hans’ wife Rachel… Continue Reading “Netherland – Joseph O’Neill”

The Buddha of Suburbia – Hanif Kureishi

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel The Buddha of Suburbia is a satirical coming-of-age story that deals with class, race, and identity. Haroon, is a first generation immigrant who begins a relationship with a woman named Eva who shares his interest in Buddhism. Eva encourages… Continue Reading “The Buddha of Suburbia – Hanif Kureishi”

The Clothes On Their Backs – Linda Grant

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Vivien Kovacs is on a search to reveal the truth to the secrets kept from her by her timid Hungarian refugee parents ♥ “Two Jewish brothers are at the heart of this novel. One escapes Hungary prior to the war, marries… Continue Reading “The Clothes On Their Backs – Linda Grant”

Accordion Crimes – Annie Proulx

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel The history of America’s founders is told by the travels of an accordion, and the hands it passes through. ♥ “An accordion is handmade by a Sicilian in 1890 and changes owners several times throughout the novel, ending… Continue Reading “Accordion Crimes – Annie Proulx”

Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Nadine Middlesex is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel which chronicles the impact of an intersex gene on three generations of a Greek family. ♥ “Protagonist Calliope (Cal) Stephanides undertakes a rebirth as he comes to terms with his family’s history… Continue Reading “Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides”

The Reluctant Fundamentalist – Mohsin Hamid

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Over one night, a Pakistani man tells an American stranger about his love affair with a woman and his forced abandonment of America post 911. The resulting chaos of 911, especially for men of his ethnicity, causes Changez to abandon his wish… Continue Reading “The Reluctant Fundamentalist – Mohsin Hamid”