The Last Day Before Exile: Stories of Resistance, Displacement & Finding Home

404 Inklings #19

by Selin Bucak

When we hear news stories about displaced people, people running away from war, living in exile, they’re always accompanied by big numbers, presented as waves of immigrants. The Last Day Before Exile re-focuses the narrative to the human side, sharing some of the hardest moments of their lives, where they had to make the decision to stay or go. Tracing the steps of professionals who have moved from the Gaza Strip, Pakistan, Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan Turkey, and Ukraine, Selin Bucak shares stories of rebellion, fear, and, in some cases, victory. To truly understand what immigrants often have to go through at the hands of governments, legislation, and war, we need to put ourselves into the shoes of the people living in exile.

Genres: Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2023

Reviews

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the stories stayed a bit too surface level to really hit home on the reality of migration. great for somebody who knows nothing or very little about the topic but I wish it delved a little deeper both personally and policy wise

[Su Ülkenli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting subjects but as a book this definitely needed a bit more editing. More than 50% of the book is quotes from other books or from the author’s interviews. Needs more depth and also more punctuation!!!!

[Maddie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was 15 and doing my GCSEs, I read a poem called the Emegreè. I hated it. Despised it even. I didn’t get how it had anything to do with war whatsoever.
When I did what would have been my final exams in 2020, the poem came up. In the end, I got a 7. A decent grade. But I still harboured resentment to that poem. I still remember what mum said to me. ‘You’ll like it one day. You’ll grow up, you’ll leave, and you’ll understand.’
She was right.
I grew up. I watched the horrors of the world unfold on my television.
This is one of those books that makes me think of that poem.
Maybe I didn’t like all of it. My focus drifted Sometimes because the writing felt clunky. It could have done with a proof read and another draft.
But does that matter to me after I’ve finished it? No. Not really.
I learned new things. New people. I struggled to put it down, actually. It opened my eyes to the sights that the UK forces us not to see.
In the end, I enjoyed this book.
It tastes of sunlight.

[Bethan]

The information presented here is incredibly important and has widened my understanding of exile and living as a refugee or asylum seeker, but I just think as an essay this isn’t the strongest and needed at least a couple more proofreads, if not another actual draft

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5/5]

This is a great primer for folks who want first hand accounts of refugee stories. If you are wondering how someone becomes forcefully separated from their homeland, this provides logistical and emotional insight into it all. It’ s a very short read but packs a lot of important information about various immigration systems and how few immigrants/refugees make it through. It’s brevity does mean it doesn’t get deep into the aftereffects and some accounts stay on the surface, but if you want to learn fast the horrors of a broken system, starting here would work.

[Sarah Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this book to be written in the first person, so braced myself for an emotional onslaught.
Instead, it is far more informative, with a few personal reflections included.
It's a difficult read, but crucial for all of us to understand the experiences of refugees. The conclusion made me realise that there is another way - we cannot simply be reactive and move people around the globe to escape conflict and persecution. While I previously felt benevolent and paternalistic in relation to pushing for enhanced rights and support for refugees, this book made me realise that it is far more nuanced than this, and does a disservice to those forced to flee their home.
An important (but short!) read.

[Cat]

Interesting, but not mandatory reading.

The book is consists primarily stories of people who have had to leave their homes for various reasons. Whilst the stories highlighted in this book had undeniably been thru great struggles, they didn't feel representative of the greater population of asylum seekers and refugees. For example, most of them were artists so were more easily able to continue their livelihood than the average person would. The very one-note selection of voices highlighted almost underplays the severity of the topic at hand.

The stories served as a clear reminder that these are real human beings going thru this experience but, as other reviewers have commented, I would have appreciated just a little more solid fact.

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“You can’t imagine what it means to leave everything behind, to leave home. You will never be at home here.”

This is such a fascinating premise, talking to various people from different places, cultures, ways of life about the last day they were in their home before they were exiled. I want more people to read this book and books like it especially in the current climate of xenophobia and anti-immigration sentiment stoked by the government.

I have hope that if we continue to use our voices, our votes, our means of protest and boycott that we can counter the oppressive regimes globally and I believe that one day everyone will be able to live freely and peacefully

[Jack Birrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

“While the stories of people living in exile remind us of this resilience of the human spirit, they also express the importance of providing support and assistance to those who have been forced to leave their homes and communities.”

A bit too surface level for me but overall these stories need to be told today because the world is in such a demonizing state that we forget that these are people, with struggles, dreams and a need for a home.

[Philtatos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting topic. Sadly, it’s just a handful of stories. I think it could’ve been a more well researched, nuanced discussion on the pre-migration, migration, and post-migration impact on psychology and experience of displaced/exiled peoples along with the pushback in granting them asylum.

[Imogen Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A insightful account to what it means to be a refugee particularly one escaping political persecution. The stories were honest and heart breaking and the sense of lacking a home will stick with me. There is a longing for a home that doesn’t want you and a current home that feels so alien.

[n · Rating 1 out of 5]

what an ass conclusion

[Rakie Keig · Rating 5 out of 5]

These little Inkling books are so essential, each one is really great, and this one is no exception. There's a lot packed into it.

[Madeleine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Important information, Badly written

[✰matthew✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lot of information, including statistics and real world experiences packed into a small and very accessible book.

[الكوثر · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب شحيح

[Sanjay L · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great topic of discussion but not well executed. Defintely a great to book get folk who don’t know anything to start thinking. Not the best in the series for me.