Stateless

by Mark Leon Collins

Stateless follows the life of Sandor Lovas, a man fleeing Hungary after the failed 1956 uprising against Russia. After risking his life escaping to Austria, he is offered asylum in Ireland along with five hundred other refugees. However, despite the heartfelt welcome of the Irish people, Sandor soon discovers that Ireland is not in a position to support them economically.Stateless charts the little known history of these Hungarian refugees who spent years stranded in a refugee camp in County Clare. It’s the story of how these former citizens of Hungary tried, but ultimately failed, to settle in 1950’s Ireland. And how, without jobs or the hope of a better life, the refugees started bickering with the Irish authorities which ultimately led to a hunger strike in protest against their conditions.Inspired by the author’s grandparents who arrived in Ireland as refugees in 1956, Stateless is a well-researched story of how a group of people were offered asylum by a country which didn’t have any asylum to offer.Praise for Stateless'Collins' grasp of 1950s' Ireland is impressive. His unsentimental style is tempered with poignant scenes...Stateless is a fascinating and memorable work by a promising new writer.' The Irish Independent'Unique idea for a novel...Marvellous story. Collins tells it well. The account of the refugees ' day-to-day existence is satisfyingly detailed..' The Sunday Tribune'Stateless is extensively researched and gives a flavour of the grey and hopeless essence of Ireland at its economic nadir of 1956/57....vivid and powerful...an accomplished debut.' The Irish Mail on Sunday.'A story of deliverance and disillusion, of dashed hopes and uncertain futures...capturing the minutiae of personal issues faced by minorities in adversity.' The Sunday Business Post

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2006

About the author

My first 3 novels may be found here at Amazon as well as wherever books are sold. :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/autho...

Reviews

[Agnes Kelemen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting story with interesting facts and data about Ireland (and for non-Hungarians about Hungary). Unfortunately, the author has no talent for writing fiction. Someone else could have written an excellent novel about the same subject: 1956, Hungarian refugees in Ireland.