The People Smuggler: The True Story of Ali Al Jenabi

by Robin De Crespigny

Author(s): Robin de Crespigny ISBN: 9780143569183 Binding: Paperback Published: 2017-05-15 Robin de Crespigny's The People Smuggler is the gripping, inspring story of one man's escape from Saddam's Iraq to become 'the Oskar Schindler of Asia'. 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 shadowy 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. 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.

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published May 15, 2017

Reviews

[Broken Sparrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The People Smuggler by Robin de Crespigny, is a detailed exploration and explanation of the early life and motivations of convicted people smuggler, Ali Al Jenabi. Speaking as Ali, the author’s voice takes us on a compassionate journey, providing insight into the loss and heartbreak experienced by those attempting to escape these war ravaged countries. With the goal of placing a humane face to the actions perpetrated by Ali, Robin de Crispigny takes us into his family life, his tortuous time in prison, and delves deeply into the many twists and turns that determined Ali’s choices. Through the driving need to save his family, and to help others escape the torture and torment that he suffered in Iraq, the author’s aim to smash through the governments’ statements regarding people smugglers and refugees clearly shows that it is far from a cut and dried argument. Robin de Crespigny brings the humane and inhumane side of people smuggling up for discussion, in an honest, forthright and non-dramatic manner.

Whilst I read this book as part of a course that I was taking, it has been more life changing than I expected. Not only has it opened my eyes to a human suffering that I didn't fully understand, on a more superficial level, it has opened my mind to a literary genre I would have previously overlooked. On a final, highly complimentary and grateful note, Robin de Crespigny’s authentic approach, was an engaging expose of a life entirely removed from my own, which was enlightening and thought provoking.

[Janita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only copy available in our local library was the Audiobook format, read by Hazem Shammas. It is actually the first audiobook I have ever used, and I was resistant. But because I really wanted to 'read' this book, I reluctantly plugged in to listen to the book. Wow!

Either by reading or listening, this book falls for me into a very small category of books that I become anxious to finish...simply so I can get on with my life! It became utterly unputdownable!

Any story, this unique, should be told. And for it to be told well, and in this case, read superbly, was a delight. On this topic, the reader can gain nuance and aspect and perspective and insight and dimension. The subject is fully fleshed out from an angle that demands a certain kind of respect. After all, we cannot choose where we are born. So this book helps us to imagine what life is like for those who live in a world that is impossible for us to imagine...without this 'testimony'.

If ever this book was made into a movie, it would fall into the category of 'epic saga'...a gut-wrenching ride through time and circumstance. Like all of my favourite books, I feel grateful for the education.

[David Allwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The global refugee crisis will continue to worsen into the future due to increasing political instability, widening economic disparity, and climate change, yet governments of the world are yet to propose a viable cooperative solution. Perhaps there simply isn’t one. This book tells the timely true story of a refugee entirely from his own perspective. Dense with detail it is a harrowing and confronting story. Unfortunately, however, his approach also stretches the readers empathy as the story progresses. Ali Al Jenabi fleeing from persecution in Iraq is completely understandable, but his single-minded ambition to reach Australia while passing through many other safe countries and also dealing financially in, and sometimes exploiting, the plight of others is less so. Although it is a gripping read, this book raises more questions than it can answer. Perhaps the issues from such complex problems may just not be satisfactorily answerable.

[Nicole West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love true stories but this one was disturbing and sad to know that one man, his family and friends can suffer so much at the hands of Saddam Hussein's rein. And even though in the eyes of Australian laws he did the wrong thing to save most of his family Ali Al Jenabi lost so much. I think everyone should read, it certainly opened up my eyes!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written and heartbreaking. Could not put it down.

[Julie Murdoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I thought I knew about refugees and people smugglers was proven to amount to little. Such a rich and powerful story. I feel so much empathy for his people and himself.

[Patrik Klages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and insight into what it can be like when you have to flee violence.
Amazing that Ali is still alive after experiencing these horrors.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.