THE PEOPLE SMUGGLER

By Robin de Crespigny

 (Blurb on back)
At once a non-fiction thriller and a moral maze, this is one man's epic story of trying to find a safe place in the world.
When Ali Al Jenabi flees Saddam Hussein's torture chambers, he is forced to leave his family behind in Iraq. What follows is an incredible international odyssey through the shadow world of fake passports, crowded camps and illegal border crossings, living every day with excruciating uncertainty about what the next will bring.
Through betrayal, triumph, misfortune – even romance and heartbreak – Ali is sustained by his fierce love of freedom and family. Continually pushed to the limits of his endurance, eventually he must confront what he has been forced to become.
With enormous power and insight, The People Smuggler tells a story of daily heroism, bringing to life the forces that drive so many people to put their lives in unscrupulous hands. It is an utterly gripping portrait of a man cut loose from the protections of civilisation, attempting to retain his dignity and humanity while taking whatever path he can out of an impossible position.

What more can I say... This is an amazing story of survival yet complete frustration. Ali never really experienced a proper childhood, tortured from an early age, being forced to watch his younger brother tortured, being a prisoner for years, fleeing for his life, losing contact with his wife and child, only to be locked up in a detention camp for as long as the Australian Government decide. I cannot believe people can read this book and not feel for those fleeing war torn countries for their lives and their children's lives. What would you or I do to save our family? You won't be the same after reading Ali's story. Just where has our compassion gone? Not a 'must read' but a 'PLEASE READ'.

BROKEN MEMORY

by Elisabeth Combres


This is an easy read, with short chapters, aimed at the younger reader but don't let that put you off. It packed a punch that's for sure. Although fiction, this story was based on real life stories and historical events during the Rwanda genocide, and the trauma the Tutsi people faced during this horrific event in 1994.


Emma is a 5 yr old Tutsi girl who hides in her house while she hears her mother being killed close by. She escapes and finds a Hutu women she befriends who looks after her and hides her from rebel soldiers for many years. Emma is devastated that she cannot remember her mother's face but can remember her last words 'You must not die'.


There are many heart breaking stories during this terrible time in history which left hundreds of thousands of people, especially children, misplaced, traumatised and memories that will torment them for many years, sometimes forever. The struggle to learn to heal memories and to trust again is necessary for survival.


A touching story told very simply... may we never forget the horror!

THE MEMORY CAGE

THE MEMORY CAGE   by Ruth Eastham   (YA fiction)

This is a very powerful and emotional story dealing with war, Alzheimer’s and family secrets. It is beautifully written and the compassion Alex shows for his Grandfather is beautiful. The story tells of Alex who was adopted at the age of 6 from a refugee camp in Bosnia and is now a teenager. His parents and younger brother are all dead and he is haunted by memories of not being able to save his younger brother from drowning. He is adopted into the Smith family, lives in Doverham, England and adores his adopted Grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is about to be put into a home.

He is desperate to help his Grandfather to remember the past so he doesn’t have to be put in an aged home, but as Alex delves into the past and tries to create a scrapbook of his life, secrets are discovered that have been hidden away for many years. With the town losing so many of their young men in the war some people don’t want the past dug up. Remembering the past is not want Alex wants for himself either as it is too hurtful and he tries to cut all memories of Bosnia from his life. The story concludes with a dramatic incident that had me in tears. Secrets are revealed and lies uncovered to culminate in a truly wonderful ending.