გაიქეცი, რომ გადარჩე

by Jane Mitchell, Keti Chartolani (translator)

აზარი დედასთან ერთად გამორბის თავისი მზიანი, ცხელი სოფლიდან. დედა-შვილის ცხოვრება ორ ნაწილად იხლიჩება – ტკბილ-მწარე მოგონებებად და გაურკვეველ, გრძელ მოლოდინად ქცეულ აწმყოდ პირქუშ, უცხო ირლანდიაში.

უკან, მონატრებულ სამშობლოში დაბრუნება და ღირსების შემლახავი ტრადიციის მორჩილება აზარისთვის სიკვდილის ტოლფასია. არადა თუ ამას არ დაამტკიცებს, უცხო ქვეყანა არ შეიფარებს. ბოლო არ უჩანს დაუსრულებელ დაკითხვებს, ლტოლვილთა თავშესაფარში უცხო ადამიანებთან ერთად ცხოვრებას… აზარისთვის ერთადერთი სიხარული ახალ მეგობართან ერთად სირბილია. სირბილი კი ამქვეყნად ყველაფერს ურჩევნია.

წიგნის ავტორი, ჯეინ მიჩელი ირლანდიაში ცხოვრობს. უნივერსიტეტის დამთავრების შემდეგ სხვადასხვა პრობლემის მქონე თინეიჯერებთან მუშაობდა. მან ბევრ ქვეყანაში იმოგზაურა და ორჯერ მიიღო მონაწილეობა დუბლინის 42-კილომეტრიან მარათონში.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

298 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Jane Mitchell was born in England, but she moved to Ireland later on, where she studied in Trinity College, Dublin, and taught elementary school children for a while before working in the community with at-risk teenagers who had dropped out of formal education.

She has also worked with young adults with disabilities.

Reviews

[Róisin (somethingarosie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is technically a middle-grade/young teen novel, I as a twenty three year old, found it very impactful. The reality of living in Direct Provision is not something I’ve seen reflected in many of the books I read or even the books I see advertised on my feed & on book displays in store. It offered me a new perspective, a reality different to my own and for that I am thankful. I enjoy reading for many reasons but particularly when I feel as though I’ve gained a better understanding of the lives of others and that is certainly the case with Jane Mitchell’s book.

I query the classification of this as a middle-grade (which I understand is for children 8-12, whereas YA is aimed at those age 13-18) because it tackles some really difficult, real life issues such a racism, violence & forced marriages. There were parts of this book that were not the most jolly, to put it mildly. That being said teenagers are probably way more informed about life than I was as a young teen, given how easily accessible social media is now.

Run for your life really struck a chord with me. I wrote a paper about Direct Provision during my undergrad but that was very fact and statistic based. It was nice to hear a more personal account of that experience, even if it is fiction. The characters in this book and the things they live through are tangible and real, I felt a closeness to them even though their reality was so different to my own.

The writing is accessible, humorous and heartfelt. A fantastic read all round!

5⭐️

Thank you Little Island Books for gifting me this, one of my favourite books I have read this year :)

[Sue Divin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really important book for teens (and adults) to read. It gives great insight and empathy into the asylum system in Ireland - and is a great story.

[Maebh Delahunty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My life is about international protection and legal aid, plastic food in throwaway containers and fretting about my mother staying in bed all day. I share my evenings with dozens of strangers from dozens of countries who speak languages I've never heard. My nights are full of dark memories and haunting dreams."

What a phenomenally impactful story. This should be required reading for every Irish person to really understand the direct provision system.

[Janet Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is our One County One Book for 2023 and I must admit, I think it is my favourite One County One Book that we have read so far. It is beautifully written, easy to read but tells a gripping, powerful story. I think every Irish person needs to read this and develop empathy and understanding as to why refugees come to our country in the first place. More often than not, they don't want to be here, they don't want to leave their home countries, but they don't have a choice, and we don't have to make their lives harder with our unnecessary racism and prejudice.

I have seen first hand from my own job the kind of nasty, racist behaviour that young black people experience in this country, and yet we try to think of ourselves as such a progressive and accepting country. The young girls who pick on Azrai are real young people, and they don't pick up those racist habits off the floor, they learn that kind of behaviour from their parents, guardians, friends, television and so on, and it has to stop. Young people don't understand the consequences of their words and it's so unfair. This book made me hate being Irish, but in a good way. It opens your eyes to how imperfect we are as a country and how we have to get off our own high horse.

This book also opens your eyes up to the reality of life in Direct Provision. Mitchell gives a very good description at the back of the book as to what Direct Provision is, which is good and I don't believe a lot of young people actually know what it is or that it exists. She illustrates the instability, the mistreatment, the cruelty and the awful living conditions of Direct Provision. The people do not have human living conditions, but they develop family and personal relationships with people like them, and in an instant they can be separated, carted off to a different side of the country in the blink of an eye and are so isolated again, never mind the fact that they are now so far away from their legal aid and have to start all over again. Direct Provision is run by private organisations who are making a profit off of these peoples terrible conditions and they do not morally care about them, and the worst thing about it is that it is funded by the Irish Government. This was only meant to be a temporary thing and yet it has now become a permanent solution. Our country, our government NEEDS to do better!

We as Irish people are always shocked and appalled that this country ever allowed Mother and Baby Homes to exist, especially for as long as they did, and no one did anything about it, and yet here we are allowing Direct Provision to exist and are once again doing nothing about it, we are ignoring the problem, allowing this to exist, allowing it to continue and pretending like we are still high and mighty.

Every single Irish person needs to read this book! Our students are going to get the opportunity to meet Jane Mitchell this month in our new, local library and I cannot wait to meet her and discuss her thoughts and inspiration behind the book. I was a little bit weary of an Irish writer writing about black and racist issues, but I think it is important that she highlights the Irish Direct Provision issue and is giving refugees this platform. She is honest and truthful about Ireland, even if it puts us in a bad light, because we need that reality check.

[Tara Mickela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Azari and her mother have fled their homeland in fear for their lives at the hands of family after witnessing an unspeakable act. In Ireland they try desperately to find comfort and acceptance but it is very challenging. Azari finds the greatest comfort in running and the new friend she runs with. But having to keep it a secret from her mother whom she protects pains her greatly.

[Herisson08 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livre intéressant sur la place des migrants en Irlande.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not until the middle of the book that you find out exactly what Azari and her mum are running from. As a book it deals with the issues of male to female violence, people smuggling, forced marriage, lack of female opportunities, how sport can be a levelling space and a space for self discovery, and how a perception of ‘Western Freedom’ sours when placed into a migrant block.
The story goes back and forth in time, with more information being revealed about Azari’s life in an unnamed but patriarchal country. In the present there is a growing sense of injustice from the authorities, from the locals (who eventually destroy the migrant block), and from the inability of Azari to be legally able except through exceptional circumstances to speak for herself and her desires.
That said, there is also much here about friendship across generations, about reading and trusting people, about the centrality of foods and companionship within communities, and learning to be independent.
I wont say this book is an emotional roller coaster; the only emotion I felt was annoyance at how slow the process of dealing with genuine refugees is, and how stupid and easily led some folk are by their prejudices and ignorance; something that cuts across all countries and cultures!

[Bee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've all heard about Direct Provision - either scaremongering of the kind that features here, or exposes on how awful it is, or politicians telling us how wonderful it is and how much refugees love it. For children, though, it can be difficult to understand, which is why books like this are so important.

I was marking quotes as I went along, but I ended up with so many I couldn't choose. There are so many moments in this story that absolutely shine. This is a book that should be in schools and libraries and on bookshelves all over the country, but especially schools. Children need to be aware of what actually drives people to come here for help and freedom. Maybe then we can avoid tragedies like the all too plausible one shown here. It says a lot about Ireland, I think, that I absolutely believed a thing like that could happen - but also that the care and concern and help that happened afterwards could happen too.

It took me a while to realize where Azari is from (although that's not the point of the story, of course; I settled on India but could still be wrong.) The alternating chapters showing her history are heartwrenching, especially when they reach the climax they've been building up. Jane shows the heartbreak and grinding terror so clearly. I loved the little shout outs to her earlier books, too!

This is an incredible read, and a really important one. I can't wait for people to start reading it.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From page one, the reader is gripped, pulled into the story of Azaris’ life. Even though she has her mother with her, we feel as though Azari is very much alone in her efforts to keep the wolves from the door. Her mother is deeply traumatised, cannot speak up for them. So, it’s all down to Azari. She navigates the Direct Provision system with both desperation and determination, repeating their story over and over, hoping that she will be heard. In this alien country, she faces racism, suspicion and still she keeps going. They are pushed from place to place…it seems nobody wants them. But within and without their constricted existence, they do find kind voices; a few people who take them as they are, in spite of the others. In the end, Azaris’ journey is far from over…but she will get there.
Mitchells’ immaculate, exacting research gives us a true portrait of day-in-day-out life in Direct Provision and the process as faced by so many young people. Many stay within this system for years. It is shockingly accurate. Run for Your Life is a tumultuous, emotional journey that exposes a reality of our world. It gives a genuine, eloquent voice to those who don’t have one. It makes us think, feel and ask if we should lend more awareness to the lives of others, whether we understand them or not. And it gives hope for something better to emerge deep inside ourselves as a collective. A hope that leads to actions, no matter how small. I find it reassuring that this story has been told. Now is the time to listen to it. Extraordinary, moving, consuming and very, very real. I couldn’t put it down.

[Violaine A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un roman captivant sur les réfugiés qui arrivent en Irlande après avoir fui leur pays, et se retrouvent dans des centres d'accueil. L'auteure dénonce un système à bout de souffle, qui perdure, alors qu'il a été pensé pour être provisoire. Résultat : les réfugiés, déjà dans une affreuse détresse, voient leurs difficultés s'accumuler. Les personnages sont tous réussis et permettent au lecteur d'appréhender toutes les facettes de cette question délicate. On est de tout cœur avec Azari ! Le livre est soutenu par Amnesty International, et l'auteure a dédié son roman aux jeunes accueillis dans ces centres. Ce livre nous permet d'ouvrir les yeux sur cette situation dramatique : espérons qu'elle s'améliore.

[Rachel Crum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sad but beautiful. A story of a refugee girl and her mother, the chapters bounce back and forth from the present, as they apply for protection in Ireland and try to figure out life, to the past, as we learn about their life back home and what eventually made them flee. The saddest section shook me. It was hard to read, and some of the difficult content would not make this good for anyone too young or sensitive. It was wonderful to read though and I recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

[Shannie Joy Kosman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my eye as it not only has to do with refugees, but is told from the perspective of one such person. I appreciate all the direct research that went into this effort.
It took a bit to get into the story with much jumping around. Once, either I settled into the book or the book began to make sense with the jumping, the pages began to turn themselves.
This is a very important read to gain an empathetic understanding for those in your own community and beyond.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

un récit puissant, féministe, et extrêmement touchant. j'ai beaucoup apprécié Azari et sa façon de raconter sa vie. L'alternance entre passé et présent était fluide et permettait de mieux comprendre les personnages et leurs caractères... J'aurais juste aimé connaître la résolution de leur histoire, peut-être grâce à un saut dans le temps!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down
This is a fantastic story that explores the refugee experience NOT in the US and gives a critique of the way Ireland handled their refugees. A great way to explore the refugee experience.
contains brutal violence resulting in death, misogyny, romance

[shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it’s technically a children’s book, this is well worth the read for any ages. It gives powerful insights into what asylum seekers in Ireland go through in direct provision.

[Emily Blunden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty and absorbing read, telling the story of a refugee who has fled her abusive father and is attempting to make a new life for herself in Ireland. Suitable for age 12 upwards?

[Katie_byrne3043 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this took me forever to finish but I absolutely loved it, towards the end I genuinely felt the almost impending doom around halloween and I feel this book did give me a fresh perspective

[Caroline Khauv · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Thématique très touchante

[Les_livres_de_Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On suit le quotidien d'Azari, entre son passé rempli de règles qu'elle a dû fuir, et son présent au centre de prise en charge directe en Irlande, où elle doit faire face à la discrimination, au combat pour obtenir le statut de réfugié et aux coutumes de son pays qui lui collent encore à la peau. C'est une histoire touchante et pleine d'espoir, le personnage d'Azari est incroyable, je vous recommande vivement ce livre!
J'ai vraiment beaucoup apprécié ce livre notamment pour le personnage de la mère, et la relation qu'elle a avec sa fille. Je trouve ça très intéressant d'avoir plusieurs représentations de différents types de personnes et leurs réactions face à ses événements.
La mère d'Azari a peur, elle veut retourner au village, au côté de son mari; ça montre vraiment la détresse psychologique dans laquelle le personnage est, et le fait qu'elle continue, malgré elle, de représenter les règles strictes du village, est selon moi tellement vrai.
Il se lit très vite et facilement, les mots utilisés sont simples, (car écrit pour un public jeune probablement) et les petites notes de la traductrice pour bien situer les endroits et le vocabulaire spécifique étaient géniales.

[Maëlle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un récit poignant qui dénonce le patriarcat omnipresent dans certains pays et les conditions d'accueil et de vie des réfugiés déplorable dans les pays développés.

*livre reçu en partenariat avec le Bookclub du Pass Culture, merci à eux !*

[Lenabean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I loved it. Really touching; couldn’t put it down