City of Refugees: The Story of Three Newcomers Who Breathed Life into a Dying American Town

by Susan Hartman

A gripping portrait of refugees who forged a new life in the Rust Belt, the deep roots they’ve formed in their community, and their role in shaping its culture and prosperity.
 
"This is an American tale that everyone should read. . . . The storytelling is so intimate and the characters feel so deeply real that you will know them like neighbors."—Jake Halpern, author of Welcome to the New World

War, persecution, natural disasters, and climate change continue to drive millions around the world from their homes. In this “tender, intimate, and important book—a carefully reported rebuttal to the xenophobic narratives that define so much of modern American politics” (Sarah Stillman, staff writer, The New Yorker ), journalist Susan Hartman follows 3 refugees over 8 years and tells the story of how they built new lives in the old manufacturing town of Utica, New York. Sadia, a Somali Bantu teenager , rebels against her mother; Ali, an Iraqi interpreter, creates a home with an American woman but is haunted by war; and Mersiha, a Bosnian baker, gambles everything to open a café.
 
Along the way, Hartman “illuminates the humanity of these outsiders while demonstrating the crucial role immigrants play in the economy—and the soul—of the nation" ( Los Angeles Times ). The 3 newcomers are part of an extraordinary migration over the past 4 decades; thousands fleeing war and persecution have transformed Utica, opening small businesses, fixing up abandoned houses, and adding a spark of vitality to forlorn city streets. Utica is not alone. Other Rust Belt cities—including Buffalo, Dayton, and Detroit—have also welcomed refugees, hoping to jump-start their economies and attract a younger population.
 
City of Refugees is a complex and poignant story of a small city but also of America—a country whose promise of safe harbor and opportunity is knotty and incomplete, but undeniably alive.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Book Club, History, New York

264 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2022

Reviews

[David Corleto-Bales]

A very good portrait of Utica, New York, and extensive profiles of refugees from Bosnia, Iraq, and Somalia, and their life struggles overcoming war, displacement, culture shock and family drama to make a new place in a once fading northeastern city now finding its way back. It's especially interesting to me since I worked with one of the people profiled and have taught several others of the people mentioned in the book, as well as interact daily in Utica's refugee and immigrant culture.

[Deborah Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is we who were born in the USA have no clue how fortunate we are.

[Asiya (lavenderdecaflatte)]

star reviews are harder for me to do these days..
but as a child of refugees to the us, a resident of a rust belt town, a former social worker (of sorts), and someone who’s visited Utica and been to this cafe,, this book touched me in more ways than one.

[Susan Tunis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Willa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and informative books I've ever read. The writing is poetic and clear- the book reads like a novel that is somehow both easy to breeze through- with short chapters of just a few pages alternating between the characters, whose stories and lives I got wrapped up in - while dense with great information, as it covers the fascinating story of Utica's history and its evolution.

Hartman covers every aspect of the city through deep research and reporting- I've never read such immersive and intimate coverage of a city- it takes you inside the homes, streets, lives of Uticans, who have incredible stories themselves, and Hartman handles their traumatic past as refugees sensitively and beautifully, as well as background on the countries they came from. And then she takes you back into Utica, a town that has been abandoned but is now brought back to life - and I could imagine Utica's vastly different past and also see it's transformed by the refugees who have come in. I was riveted by even the ordinary changes and drama in their lives and needed to know what happened next. Highly recommend for a beautiful read and a greater understanding of America's changing cities, and how refugees can revitalize them - or for anyone who loves to follow great characters, settings, histories, and amazing reporting.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading so many, many titles with prison themes the first few chapters of this book gave me pause- confusing Attica with Utica the city featured in this non-fiction title. I have so much respect for refugees in our country and how they add native reminders of home through Americanized businesses. Savory foods, culture, and never ending stories to give the rest of us pause. Gaining asylum and freedoms often not of their own choosing but in effort to survive. This book centers on three main refugees but features many, many more. I devour non-fiction like this, spun together with vivid storytelling that allows me to be in another's shoes so well.

[Terry Abeline Carden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I selected this non-fiction account of a small upstate New York city, that has seen a rebirth due to the arrival of many refugees in the past few decades. If the book was about a city other than Utica, NY, I probably would not have chose this book. I am a fan of historical fiction, and don't usually chose a non-fiction book. However, it is very close to where I have spent most of my life. It was interesting to read about the refugees struggles to get to the U.S. and how Utica is such a welcoming city. I am proud of Utica's acceptance and promotion of resettlement. The author chose to follow three families from different countries, and she gave an excellent account of their lives prior to coming to Utica. I think that everyone would have a better understanding of immigrants after reading this book. It opened my eyes to lives so different than my own.

[Kevin Montano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in the Utica area the places and stories hold special significance. Even for a non-Utican, the author brings you intimately into the lives of these refugees, frames it all in the greater context, and manages to round the entire book out with a deeply personal ending. A captivating read from cover-to-cover.

[Justin Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fulfilled the last category of Nappanee Public Library's "Expand Your Horizons" annual reading challenge. It was a good book! I liked how it follows the story of 3 refugees in Utica, NY over an 8-year period. It was a real eye-opener about what refugees go through. Not something I normally think about.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific history, even for me, and I've lived in the next city over for 25 years. I imagine that this is similar to the histories of other "Rist Belt" cities across the nation. Sad (for the past) and hopeful (for the future) at the same time.

[Allison Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

loved the premise, but didn't love the execution, sorry :(

[Hailee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything that involves refugees. They are great examples of sacrifice, perseverance and humility. This was a great story of a community and love. A feel good moment.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Utica, and it's nice to read something that celebrates the city's diversity. Obviously this was well-researched, but it also got into deeply personal stories without losing the narrative thread or becoming too long.

[Adam Kwiat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I was hoping for, but was nice to read something that conjured memories of the area in which I grew up

[Abigail Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the stories of the refugees (and how much follow-up the author did) and the amazing portrayal of Utica, NY.

[Kate Hornstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utica was already a declining Rust Belt city when my family moved to the area in the late 1960's. Although I had a couple of visits to Utica after I graduated from college and moved away, I knew little about what had happened to it. The city experienced years of rampant arson, causing many long-timers to leave. ("Last one in Utica, turn out the lights!") Immigrant newcomers then arrived to revitalize the city. They opened businesses, worked in local jobs, and fixed up delapidated 19th-century houses. This is an inspiring story of a city where immigrants arrive from Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia, Burma, and Vietnam. They work at Chobani, Turning Stone, Wynn Healthcare and Wal-Mart. They open small businesses and attend the local high school. Susan Hartman meets many of them and learns about their dreams, feuds, drama and trauma. But big takeaway: they mostly all love Utica! Great objective reporting and I am happy for the big city next to which I grew up

[Alyce Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping all the characters straight was a bit of a chore, but when not focused on that endeavor and just soaking up each story as it's told, you can enjoy the book. It's a wonderful story of people overcoming unimaginable things to live a better life in America. It makes me grateful for my country and hopeful we never become like other places. It also emphasizes the great value of an immigrant.

I gave it a 3 for a few reasons. It wasn't my favorite book and it was confusing at times. But most of all, the author admits to not supporting those who were characters in her book following its publication. While she may have thought this responsible in the name of journalism, it feels irresponsible in the name of humanity. Profiting off others and their hardships for your gain means you hold a great responsibility to support and pay those you've exploited. It felt entitled.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually couldn't get my hands on a free copy of book even though made request through library. Lots of folks taking this book out.

Read 6 pages of a free download from Amazon. Did some research on the book and listened to an interview on NPR with author Susan Hartman. Found some news articles on Refugees in Utica and Cazenovia NY. Makes you want to know more details about the refugees and how they endured with all the other immigrants with different languages, going to school not knowing English, not enough interpreters for talking to doctors, hospitals, schools, churches and more.

Very interesting story and more should be told. Seems immigrants certainly did "breathe life" into a dying area and were much welcomed to the area.

[Rachel Lichtman Castaño · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book. I picked it up on a whim at the library and didn’t have high expectations but I thought it was so wonderfully written. Im always a bit hesitant when these kinds of books are written by white authors but the author did such a great job of portraying everyone in the book as they were and not through any sort of strange lens. By the end of the book I felt so invested in everyone’s life and story and it’s inspired me to learn more about the history of other places and learn more about New York state as a whole.

Everyone’s story made me cry at different points, all I can say is this book is well worth a read.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the life of refugees three families who settle in Utica ,Ny. building a new life for themselves after leaving their homelands.The author follows them for eight years she writes an intimate look at each family their members their wins and their defeats.Reading about them developing new lives careers and revitalizing Utica itself was so involving getting to know their dreams and goal.This is an important book a book that college classes book clubs and other places for discussion will learn from.Advanced copy from #edelweiss

[Clare Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is beautifully structured. What I loved is how the author paints the picture of three families-everything came alive, the streets, the views, the food, the colors, the drapes and rugs, the hair and makeup and fashion....everything just came alive and I got to know these people and their struggles. There is a poetic quality to the writing which merges with the clear-eyed journalist.
It is a very moving work of a portrait of our fragile country that we don't always get to see. In this way, it is a love letter to the reader from the author's labor of love.
Brava!

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hartman gives us a glimpse into the lives of 3 refugee families here in my own city as well as some interesting history of Utica that I didn't quite know so well. It's always a delight to read about your own setting, familiar names of people and places; the best part was learning about something amazing that an acquaintance (from church) did for refugees which was HUGE. She's my new local hero, Debora Wilson-Alam! This book is positive, hopeful, and interesting. I recommend it to locals, especially, who love nonfiction and want to meet neighbors we may not have met yet.

[Mary Lourdes · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a native Utican who recently retired after many years teaching in the Utica City School District, I found Ms. Hartman's book to be slightly condescending to the refugee population she claims to have so much admiration for. In addition, I definitely got the vibe that she had a bit of disdain for the city of Utica and it's non-refugee population. The prose was readable, and it was nice to encounter a book that adequately described my hometown, however, I couldn't quite get the soupcon of bad taste out of my mouth.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read which showcases the added value of refugees to American cities (particularly those of the smaller variety whose heyday is decades in the past) and refugees' added value to American society writ large. I truly enjoyed each profile within this book as each refugee had a unique and interesting story to tell regarding their culture and how to blend it with American culture as well as their life struggles overcoming war, displacement, culture shock and family drama to create a home in a new place.

[Madras Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story of 3 immigrants from a different world who moved to the USA for a better life. It feels as if you are part of the family, sitting with the characters at their kitchen table & having a conversation with them. I wish there is a sequel to this book to see how the characters in this book are doing after 10 years.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the area I was familiar with the refugee center and what a great job Utica has done welcoming refugees into the area. Learned so much more from reading this book, however. Liked her in depth reporting on the three refugees and their families and stories. Can't imagine leaving your family, friends, culture and trying to start over in a strange place. What courage and bravery.

[Timothy King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Read somewhat like a novel but then would zoom out in a journalistic way. This somehow wasn’t jarring. It ran smoothly, in part because of how much time is covered. It made the novelistic side of it make sense. The people featured in the book were extremely 3-dimensional and human, with stories that anyone should be able to identify with and understand.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the history of Utica, especially the changes on Genesee Street. As a nursing student in Utica, I remember the rundown neighborhoods and hearing sirens every night. No idea people like Ali. Mershia and Sadia along with their families rebuilt the city into a thriving community. These people are heroes. I enjoyed reading their stories and wonder how their lives are today.

[Matt Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good insight into the good that people displaced from damaged countries can do to a hollowed out city. A true series of the American Dream coming true. When people grip about immigrants and refugees, they overlook these examples of people trying to succeed after their first life has been upturned. We need to champion more of these types of journeys.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for anyone curious about what immigrants have gone through to get to our country and how they contribute to our society. The author has followed three people: an Iraqi male, a middle aged Bosnian woman and a Somali teenager and their families as they learn to adjust and succeed in our society. Their harrowing stories of their lives before making it to the US are also included.