Outlanders: Stories of the Displaced

by Séan Ó Tuathaigh

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SURVIVE? What sacrifices would you endure for a better life? Would you swim a vast river? Would you trek across a desert or float through a malarial rainforest? How about breaking out of a slave plantation? Boarding a leaky ship? Escaping a siege? Outlanders is a compilation of ten real-life stories from refugees and asylum seekers, whom the author met while working in the field of refugee resettlement in the US and Ireland. They are old people and young, recently arrived and well established, originating from Afghanistan, Burma, Laos, Somalia, Iraq, South Africa, Bosnia and Palestine. Outlanders is the first work of its kind to explore the subject from a creative perspective, setting it apart from previous journalistic work available on the subject. The stories are presented in a style that immerses the reader in the journey of the refugee, the sights, smells, sounds they experienced, how it felt along the way. These unique individual narratives are bound together by recurring themes: daily life, the eruption of conflict and the privations endured to escape it. Outlanders offers a glimpse into the lives of the displaced, not through screen or newsfeed, but through the very eyes of those who survived.

288 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2019

Reviews

[Chelsea Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really opens one's eyes to the life of a refugee. As a person who grew up in a middle-class society in Canada, this book was very educational and heart-breaking.

I found that I would need to sit down and read a whole story at a time in order to not get the stories confused. So I didn't feel as though I had to know what happened next, hence the 4 stars.

[Riv · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important read for all of us privileged with not having to flee our homes.

I appreciated the diversity of the stories. It was not limited to one region of the world, which is important and shines light on the gravity of situations around the world.

[Fiona O'Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outlanders is an inspiring collection of stories about refugees the author met in the US and Ireland. Sean O Tuathaigh writes with great respect and empathy. He truly captures the cities and villages the people were displaced from and the danger and trauma they experienced without losing sight of their sense of hope. Highly recommended.

[Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Sean paints a vivid image of the life of a refugee. These are stories that will stick with you. 10/10 would recommend.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Aoiffe Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening and extremely moving