Asylum

by Rachel Anderson

Set in an about-to-be-demolished high-rise block of flats, various characters have arrived from a variety of situations; their lives and their stories, interweave, change and affect each other, and travel towards deeply moving, often funny, happy and painful outcomes. At the core of the story are two asylum seekers: All fifteen-year-old Sunday wanted was a country that was democratic and respectful of human life. All eight-year-old Rosa wanted was somewhere safe, away from the bad things of the past. Through their eyes, ideas of Britain> and belonging are explored. Moving, thoughtful, outstanding and unforgettable.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2011

Reviews

[Iona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simplified story with a fairy tale nararration. I think it does not offer enough depth (information or detail) to be able to create the reader's empathy with refugees or asylum seekers.
Additionally it references the Christian faith so often that it would be difficult to share this with a person from a different religious culture, or a younger child, as you would need to keep explaining the meaning.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. A beautiful story of those who fall through the cracks of the immigration social security system and the racism that they are often greeted with.
Refugees, asylum seekers, disenfranchised

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an okay read. not one of my favourite but I felt that the author dealt with a lot of issues very sensitvely.

[Totally Unfiltered · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books shows the dark truth of the immigration system. It shows how desperate people are, how one place can be their safe haven, and how much faith they actually put into the system. We wish for it to work out well but in reality it doesn’t.

Sunday is a teenage boy (15) who illegally entered Britain. We find out his age towards the end and knowing all the struggle he’s gone through breaks y heart. He’s not harmful or malicious in shape of form. He only cares for the people he meets and wants to make a good honest living. And yet he’s so naive and blind to believe in certain people. Sunday is one of those people you wish to protect but can’t. And his ending was bittersweet I suppose.

Rosa along with her mother don’t have the documentation to stay in the country. So she gets moved to a really shitty building when Sunny is working as the caretaker. I have a love hate relationship with her character. She’s really bitter about her situation, and I can’t blame her. But she takes it out on others, she becomes happier that her mother gets hospitalised and she doesn’t have to care for her mother anymore. She kind of expects for things to work out her way. Which I sort of understand but dislike.

The overall plot of the book was boring. It was all one level. I didn’t feel much attachment to the characters, most things just flew past my head. It was only at the end where I was thinking oh man, but all the way through the book it was sort of stale. It was an nice but boring read if that makes sense.

Overall, I would say this wasn’t the book for me. And the only reason why I gave it two stars was because of its characters.

[Georgia Davies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recommended by the Book Trust/Literacy Trust as a book to support teenagers' understanding of refugees. Read it because it had such an intriguing premise and the multiple narratives suggested a diverse experience. Read it if you want a reductive, stereotypical viewpoint that goes someway to trivialize the treatment of refugees.

[Scarlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall rating:
2.5 Stars

How I found this book:
I was given it during a book club at my school.

I wouldn't say this book is downright AWFUL. But for me, the pacing was too slow, with not enough to keep me gripped. It was certainly a struggle to read to the end without becoming disengaged.

The main characters weren't developed enough for me to feel a real connection towards them, and although the subject matter was dealt with sensitively in Asylum, this wasn't a very enjoyable read.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it came together a bit more at the end I still struggled with the pace of this book. There just wasn't enough to grip me, especially in the descriptions. I have read much more powerful books of late which this just cannot compare to I feel more of this power was certainly needed to stop it feeling so watered down.
Just an 'alright' book about family and friendship and the significance of this to refugees and immigrants.

[Steff S (The Bookish Owl) · Rating 1 out of 5]

A did not finish for me. The pace was too slow, the characters had little personality. Lila's actions or lack of frustrated me and I personally don't want to read a book where there is a psalm on nearly every page.

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/asylum/

[Megan ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember ever reading this, so it must have been pretty forgettable. An okay read, but not very much character depth or heartbreak.