Unknown: A Refugee's Story

by Akuch Kuol Anyieth

A moving, confronting and ultimately uplifting story about a young girl’s escape, with her family, from war-torn South Sudan to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, and then to Australia.

In 1996, when Akuch Kuol Anyieth is five, her mother flees to Kakuma with her children, intent on finding safety and freedom for her family, while her husband stays behind in South Sudan to fight in the civil war. The family spends nine years in the camp, eking out an existence amidst famine, disease, unbearable heat, and chronic violence. Despite their suffering, Akuch never loses hope or her sense of humour. She’s a bright student who loves learning and does well at the local school.

In 2005, the family is finally granted a family humanitarian visa to Australia. They are on the way to paradise. But the reality of their new lives in Melbourne is complex. As Akuch’s brother’s behaviour spirals out of control, the family find themselves isolated and struggling with various forms of racism.

But Akuch is determined. She learns English from scratch, excels in her educational achievements, and tries to live the life of a regular teenager. Above all she does everything she can to help her family emerge from the bonds of violence.

Akuch Kuol Anyieth’s Unknown is a remarkable memoir. It’s a homage to the strength of her mother in protecting her family against all the odds, a story of sadness, anger, humour, determination, survival and love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Africa, Audiobook, Australia, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2022

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟
'Where we came from, our neighbours were like family, and we knew almost everything about them. I wondered if our new neighbours here were afraid of us – perhaps, because we couldn’t speak English, they felt they couldn’t knock on our door and welcome us.

And we must have looked alien to them as well; we were the only dark-skinned people on Theodore Street. And, whether we liked it or not, some people form prejudices based on physical appearance. We looked different and we lived differently. Our neighbours were quiet, indoor types. We were loud and spent every sunny day in our front yard. We craved the heat. If I give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe our neighbours wanted to be friends with us but didn’t know how to approach people who didn’t look like them. Maybe they were waiting for us to make the first move. Who knows? In the end, we had to come to terms with the fact that, in this different country, people did things differently. We had to learn how to mind our own business.'

[Deb Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars from me, a wonderful and moving memoir recounting local South Sudanese refugee experiences in Kenya and Australia. This book has given me a greater insight into the refugee experience, not only the huge challenges of daily living in a refugee camp such as Kankuma but also the racism and violence of mainstream Australia towards many South Sudanese refugees and experienced by them.m. Very powerfully told and contextualised peoples lives and struggles for me really well. Excellent read and good as an audio book

[Kimberley (yepanotherbookstagram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akuch Kuol Anyieth was born in South Sudan during the long-standing war. At the age of five, she migrated to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya with her mother and siblings. Her father remained behind to help fight in the war. After nine years of living in the camp, Akuch, her mother and her siblings are granted visas to Australia - what they see as paradise. Unknown is the story of life in the refugee camp, and life as a refugee in Australia.

I am a huge fan of memoirs, so I was delighted to receive this book, especially given the subject content. I have always imagined how difficult it must be to migrate to a country as a refugee, but had no idea what life in a refugee camp was like. Akuch paints a harrowing tale of life as a refugee, and how migration to a western country comes with so many challenges. It made me reflect on how we treat our refugees, and what we could do better. Above all, this book shows how important relationships and understanding are.

I absolutely flew through this book, and am thankful for Akuch sharing her story with us.

Thank you to @text_publishing for the arc.

[Brooke Alice (brookes.bookstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: war, graphic depictions of violence.

Once again, I feel like there are no words to articulate having the opportunity to listen and read the words eloquently placed in a memoir.

Raw, confronting, painful, honest. Akuch’s life and her experience from being born in South Sudan, moving to refugee camps in Kenya and her arrival with her family to Melbourne arw all harrowing, filled with trauma and heartbreaking.

Akuch’s story, like so many should be shared, so we can understand, empathise and support refugee and asylum seekers who are fleeing for a better life. A must read.

[Tallulah Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful autobiography that started slowly but gained momentum and finished strong, I was hooked by the end. Akuch’s brave storytelling educates others about the experiences of South Sudanese refugees.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: child sexual assault, paedophilia, knife violence, physical injury, domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, colourism, sexual harassment, racism

Unknown is a striking, heart-wrenching, and powerful story told by Akuch Kuol Anyieth - a refugee from South Sudan who travels to Australia with her family. Told across multiple settings, this story details both the day-to-day life of Akuch and her family, as well as the incredible, often traumatising, journey they partake.

This memoir both tells the story of a single family and the story of many who must endure circumstances and life in a way many other people will never recognise nor understand. It speaks passionately about how numerous societies, even when attempting to help, have let down and wronged refugees over and over again. It tells of the trauma, the discrimination, and the individual, familial and societal conflict that refugees are forced to endure throughout their entire journey to safety and a better life.

Anyieth's memoir is one that is both easy and difficult to read. It is confronting, but in a way that is inescapable and important. I highly recommend this to all adult readers.

Note: Review copy received from Text Publishing. This does not impact opinions within this review.

blog • trigger warning database • more links

Happy reading! ❤

[Suzanne Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving story. It really opens your eyes to what life was like for south Sudanese people, in their home country and after coming to live in Australia. What an inspiring young woman Akuch Kuol Anyieth is.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Unknown

'Akuch Kuol Anyieth's story is unwavering in its power, insight and grace. A riveting, necessary book.’
Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer

'Unknown is a spell-binding, incandescent book that I simply could not put down. Its power and amazing grace lie in making me realise that I was truly blind, but now, with the unsparing acuity of Akuch Anyieth’s words, perhaps now I can see. Brutal, honest and devastatingly topical, Unknown needs to be on every school reading list. This is more than a refugee story. It is a passionate appeal for justice, mercy and peace. An absolute triumph.’
Clare Wright, author of The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and You Daughters of Freedom

'A remarkable story told by a remarkable woman. This book demands readers to bear witness to the reality of black refugee experience in Australia. A true testament to the strength of a family, told with honesty, clarity, and love.’
Sara El Sayed, author of Muddy People

'Akuch's story took me back to Africa, but with her strength and spirit she has become a remarkable Australian. Unknown offers an extraordinary insight into the refugee experience. I could not put it down.'
Abdi Aden, author (with Robert Hillman) of Shining: The Story of a Lucky Man

'A riveting, devastating, and inspiring book, uncompromising in its pursuit of the truth, and in conveying the lived experience of a South Sudanese family impacted by the traumas of war, displacement, years of limbo, and the challenges of emigration, but also healed by enduring family love, mutual support, courage and a fierce determination, against many odds, to create a new life. Anyone who reads this book, will come out of it a better, more informed, more understanding, and more hopeful person.'
Arnold Zable, writer, novelist and refugee rights advocate

'This is a compelling story about what it means to be a black refugee in Australia, told with fierce intelligence and urgency. Everyone who has worked with, befriended or cares about our 'unknown' refugees should read Akuch's book.’
Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem and Her Father’s Daughter

‘Heartbreaking. Raw. Real. Unknown is the story every Australian needs to know.’
Michael Mohammed Ahmed, award-winning author of The Lebs

‘An engagingly written and insightful story of love and trauma…Unflinching in its honesty.’
Guardian

‘Akuch’s trauma is evident, but so is her resilience and her desire to make a difference…this book too will make an impact on understanding the refugee experience in this country.’
Cheryl Akle, Australian

‘A haunting, behind-the-headlines refugee tale. [Akuch Kuol Anyieth] charts in measured, vivid writing a most extraordinary life...In many ways, she’s bravely examining the contrasting worlds she’s experienced, with determination and remarkable poise.’
Age/SMH

‘[A] powerful book...a book of advocacy. It breaks the silence around the African-Australian experience, which has long enabled systemic discrimination and racism towards South Sudanese refugees in Australia...Ferociously intelligent...addressing the problems of gender, race and migration in Australia today. [Anyieth] represent[s] a new generation of writers engaging with the trauma of their and their parents’ pasts…not quite belonging in a country that is still not reconciled to its history of violence and dispossession…star[ing] a certain kind of Australia in the face and demand[ing] to be heard.’
The Conversation

‘Powerful and unflinchingly honest.’
West Australian

‘An extraordinary insight into Sudanese culture… [and] an outstanding memoir that captures the incredible resilience of a family forced to abandon everything they know. It offers the opportunity to reflect on and unearth our own prejudices and discriminatory behaviour against refugees.’
Good Reading

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyeith tells this story with urgency and often distressing matter-of-factness. There is so much violence as well as deprivation in her childhood, both in her family living in a warzone and then in suburban Victoria. Anyieth's book is clearly intended to deepen understanding of how African young men end up tangled in trouble and in this it succeeds, without ever glossing over the impacts of male violence. The book highlights the mirror side of Australia's insane attempt to create a good-refugee/bad-refugee divide. Arriving with visas, Anyeith's family are expected to simply pick up Melbourne life, with little governmental support and no trauma recovery. An incident, mild enough, when Anyeith's GP ticks her off for not accompanying her mother to an appointment to translate summarises so much of the everyday underlying pressure the family face. The idea that they should be grateful just for being here, and that the price is to work much harder for much less is one they should be grateful to pay. Never is this more apparent than in the enormous number of child removals - families unaware of Anglo-Australian expectations around discipline, housing density and neighbourhood noise find themselves vulnerable to overreactions - especially in the absence of trauma support - and without understanding how to fight, lose custody of children. The kds, raised in group homes and shifting foster arrangements, have terrible outcomes. That Anyieth's family lands okay makes this a much easier book to sit through, but it is important to remember that not everyone does.

[spiderboox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akuch's memoir of life as a refugee of war torn South Sudan and her journey and new life in Australia was hard to put down. A harrowing but incredibly interesting read, Unknown should be read by every white Australian.

[Jennifer Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should read this book if you want to get to know a woman with a great determination to convey her difficult past as an Australian of South Sudanese heritage and to share her experience with us, her readers. I found the first quarter with details of day to day life slow but it is necessary to read this to gain cultural appreciation and the story becomes more intense after this.
She gave me an understanding of her upbringing in a refugee camp, of her father's commitment to the cause of independence, which required her mother to maintain the family alone in difficult circumstances beyond a western person's grasp or understanding. What Akush Kuil Anyieth also explains are the customs and strong family and tribal bonds in the camp, that place expectations on individuals in the wild and lawless society, and the physical danger due to illness, accidents and violence, both from the local tribe and within the camp.
She must have been determined to gain entry to some schooling and was always trying to follow her father's encouragement to get ahead. The story show the complexity for displaced persons in learning language when this changes and this can disengage children from success despite their willingness to learn
The story changes when her family is accepted as refugees into Australia, where initially they are safer; housed and offered language training and medical care. It is evident that the parents with boys who were fighting and unsettled in the camps do not have the authority or control, and police often intervene and remove children, and the boys lose their cultural support and identity.
The writer herself works very hard, studies and succeeds, while supporting her mother and family, and is able to save money, yet feels a stranger in her country because of general racism. Her visit to South Sudan and other countries allows her to see how South Sudan is developing as a new nation, reconnect with family, visit her father's grave and experience being 'at home' and belonging.
She has a balanced view of Australia: what they gained but also lost in the move, in particular the young men who were dislocated by war, then lost in the child protection system provided in their new country.
Akuch will have a social impact in the future, as she has a strong and educated voice, and can be a positive voice in discussions about the South Sudanese community, but also immigration support in general. A most interesting read

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akuch Kuol Anyieth’s biography, Unknown: A Refugee's Story was a challenging, dispiriting read for me so I cannot imagine how the participants in the story ever managed to survive the traumatic lives experienced in a war torn South Sudan where conflict and tribal violence were par for the course. Even as refugees in Kenya, violence, confrontation and hopelessness were the norm,

….I realised yet again that violent revenge, an eye for an eye, was the default resolution to so many conflicts in South Sudan. Guns were always going off when people quarrelled or owed money or when a female family member was being abused…It was a never-ending cycle of violence. P 298.

I was relieved when the day came (finally!!) for the family to leave the horror of life in Africa to begin life in the ‘paradise’ of ‘the lucky country’, Australia. Unfortunately, the country that promised so much to the refugees was not the nirvana they had expected and many young people responded to the expectations of an outwardly peaceful community in unacceptable and anti-social ways (small wonder indeed when you consider the trajectory of their former lives) and the authorities responded by removing young people from their families.

The number of South Sudanese children removed by Child Protection was increasing all the time. Every other day, I found that one of our friends or younger siblings had been removed from their families. Our families had already lost children - through war or tribal conflict. We came to Australia thinking we were free at last from violence. We came from a place of fear and danger, only to enter into another kind of violence. This new, structural violence was just as damaging and traumatising, and it divided our families just as much as the war we escaped from. P 201.

These two excerpts from the book hopefully give some idea of the complexity of the problems faced by both the refugees and the systems into which the newcomers were delivered. The book also highlights the shortcomings of the system, in particular the paucity of interpreters for the South Sudanese diaspora, as well as what the author believes is overt, casual and institutional racism. Unfortunately, the book led me to think that the problems associated with the resettlement of some refugee groups are insurmountable, perhaps when you read Unknown you will have a more optimistic outlook.

3.5 stars
Recommended

[Samara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I needed to read when I was teaching at a school with a large Sudanese population.

Akuch’s story, while remarkable, is sadly not an uncommon one for many Sudanese refugees. While it is well known that life in Kakuma refugee camp is hard, it was both interesting and confronting to learn of the realities of living and surviving in a place so dangerous and dehumanising in many ways.

Akuch has helpfully shone a light on the issues we face in Australia with our Sudanese refugee population- the systemic racism they experience, the trauma they come with that is left untreated and the reality of trying to settle into a country that does not understand their culture and experiences.

While it is uncomfortable to read about racism and there can be a natural desire to deny it, I admire Akuch’s bravery for calling it out while also simultaneously acknowledging her gratitude to those who have helped and supported her family. From a teacher’s perspective, I 100% see how our education system is failing our Sudanese students, mainly in the lack of trauma training specific to this community’s experiences that is provided for educators.

This book is a valuable read for any Australian to help us grow in our understanding of the experiences of not just our Sudanese community, but that of many other refugees who have come to Australia with a trauma filled background.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unknown tells Akuch’s story of life as a refugee escaping war torn South Sudan. It begins with her family’s arrival in Kakuma, a refugee camp in NorthWest Kenya when Akuch is just 5 years old. The first half of the memoir is about growing up in Kakuma - the poverty, the dangers (from both with her family and the broader community) and also the love and sacrifices. The second half of the book is about the refugee experience in Australia - the strangeness, uncertainty, and racism but also the opportunities and friendships. Having experienced so much, Akuch has embraced her opportunity for education and is now studying for her PhD while working in the justice and family and domestic violence fields. This was a well told and inspirational story. I’ve previously read Songs of a War Boy by Deng Thiak Adut, the memoir of a young South Sudanese boy who was kidnapped and conscripted into the People’s Liberation Army before seeking refuge in a Kenyan refugee camp and eventually settling in Australia. Unknown provided an interesting alternative perspective showing life from a young girl’s viewpoint. Both memoirs are highly recommended, especially for those interested in having a greater understanding of the refugee experience.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akuch Kuol Anyieth's story is one of resilience, bravery and perseverance. Akuch is born into a war situation in South Sudan and for the majority of her formative years, her home is Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Poverty, violence, hunger and terror are a part of daily life for families in Kakuma.
Akuch's is almost dispassionate in the recount of her family's struggle to survive. The horror and hopelessness in Kakuma is starkly evident and the quest to escape and be accepted as a refugees in a new country is long and fraught with obstacles and barriers.
This novel is a tribute to strong women, who hold the importance of family ties and connection close to their hearts. It gives insight into the refugee experience in Australia - despite the arrival in "paradise" Akuch's family still faces many barriers. Prejudice, stereotypes and inflexibility in our systems make it difficult for families to successfully transition and be integrated into the fabric of our communities.
This is a novel that should be read by lawmakers, community leaders, politicians and policy makers. It gives invaluable insight into the refugee experience and offers an opportunity for our society to provide an improved and empathetic support network for our newest citizens.

[Camila - Books Through My Veins · Rating 3 out of 5]

- thanks to @betterreadingau and @text_publishing for my #gifted copy

As is usually the case with Non-Fiction, especially with memoirs like Unknown, I believe it is impossible to judge the book's actual content. Because, who am I to judge the author's life experiences? Therefore, my only job as an amateur reviewer is to comment on the form, specifically how the story is delivered.

Personally, I prefer when authors try to maintain a straightforward style when writing memoirs or biographies, especially if they recount personal experiences. I firmly believe that less is more when it comes to managing real facts, or at least the way the author's memory allows for certain events to be remembered.

In Unknown's case, the author was able to embed her story with raw emotion thanks to the undemanding writing style she employed. By limiting to describing how things happened according to her in the most uncomplicated way possible, the author was able to deliver her life story with significant impact.

Structure-wise, I believe the book might have benefited from a more detailed edit, especially regarding the author's commentary. Although doubtlessly necessary, some of the author's opinions could have been avoided so there was less 'telling' and more 'showing'. For example: "Many women were subjected to abuse ... were seen to be in the wrong for not bearing children. As if it was always their fault." (p. 35). In my personal opinion, allowing the reader to reach that conclusion without stating the obvious would have been more impactful.

Admittedly, sometimes I forgot that I was reading a memoir, instead of a made-up story. I celebrate the author's courage and the work behind sharing her story with the world, creating awareness about what has been happening and is still happening in Australia and other countries that might feel sadly too remote.

Overall, Unknown is a crucial memoir that explores the refuge experience. Full of insights and first-hand stories, it is essential to understand the world we live in, the importance of family, and the consequences of hunger and violence.

[Nyadang Reath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unknown is one of those books that lingers long after the final page. Akuch writes with a vulnerability and honesty that is both moving and necessary, putting into words the emotions and burdens that so many carry but rarely articulate. At times, I had to stop reading just to sit with the weight of her words as I reflected.

Some may find the writing style simplistic, but that is precisely its strength. This story doesn’t rely on elaborate prose or literary flourish, it speaks with clarity and purpose. In doing so, it reaches the readers it was meant for. It felt reassuring to know that others share some of the same burdens and struggles, and powerful to see them voiced so openly and authentically.

What resonated most was the balance she captured between hardship and resilience. For some, this book will be a mirror; for others, it will be a window into a perspective too often overlooked.

This is more than a memoir, it is a testament to survival, identity, and hope. A story that will stay with me. Thankyou Akuch.

[Joanne - booksjoreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a confronting book, it tells the story of an extremely strong, intelligent and dedicated young woman who puts her family above any personal needs.

The horrific violence that was a constant of this families life and how it was just seen as a normal part of Sudanese culture was hard to read but it is an important element when realising why refugees coming to Australia in the early 2000’s and onwards found that this and other cultural differences made it extremely difficult to acclimate to their new countries rules and laws.

The systemic racism and discrimination that Akuch and her family found in their new country was heartbreaking to read about, but this is a book I would recommend that you read.
It shows a very personal perspective of a young refugee girl and her journey to become a voice for her community.

[Emily Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Akuch Kuol Anyieth's story is so important for so many reasons, but it struck me as a compelling look at how trauma can be compounded. After leaving war torn South Sudan, then living in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to Australia, the trauma of her and her siblings youth (violence, violence particularly against women, health issues and malnutrition, family separations) was compounded by racism and poorly provided services in Australia. Unknown only loses a star because I felt the writing was a bit procedural at times in the latter half, telling instead of showing. A very important memoir which definitely leaves you thinking.

[Vivi Widodo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must read memoir.

This memoir is written by Akuch, a refugee from South Sudan, who has an intimate knowledge of violence and poverty.

Akuch Kuol Anyieth was born in South Sudan, moved to Kenya before finally started building a new life in Australia.

She spent a few years in Kakuma refugee camp with her mother and siblings however her father remained behind to help fight in the war. , She went to Angelina Jolie Girls Primary School in Kakuma refugee camp through a scholarship. She has a big brother, Anyieth (Dragon) who loves her and the family, however turn to nerve wrecked violent man with his alcohol abuse.

This memoir tells of how difficult and many challenges to migrate to a country as a refugee and also a life in a refugee camp.  This story will make you reflect on how we treat our refugees, and what we could do better.

[Christine Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important story . For me,not born into the violence or war it helped me to understand what people go though .. not in some romanticised version of ww2 but things that are going on in our planet in our lifetime. Things I might not skip over next time I hear about South Sudan in the news. And the systematic racism that her family endure in oz ..something I can try hard not to perpetuate. But what a woman! Educated herself, helps her family and community incredibly. capable and destined for great things im sure

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a deeply insightful book. For someone who has lived in priviledge their whole life this is a stark reminder that there are people suffering in this world.
Once they receive refugee visas to Australia their lives become even more tumultous as they struggle with language barriers, racism, bias, living in a country where everything is different. There is also deep trauma from their homeland that doesn't leave when they arrive here.
I found this book challenging personally as we seek to see all Australian citizens equal and work out how to support others who come across our paths.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story portrays the struggle of the author to leave the war torn country of her birth, life in a refugee camp and then the difficulties of assimilating to her new life in Australia. I am ashamed to think that in this day and age , racial discrimination is still so evident. I wish the author well in her endeavours to make a difference amongst the Sudanese community and I hope her struggle to assist in improving assimilation comes to fruition.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akuch is an incredible storyteller, her book is so insightful into the refugee experience. Explaining different cultural societies she experienced and environments that influence their way of living. Her words on Australia's failure to be culturally sensitive to the large South Sudanese community living here show the necessity for Australian institutions to evolve.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly honest and powerful account from a truely inspiring woman. It’s an extraordinary insight into the refugee experience and the struggle to maintain a basic normal life, then with such determination to succeed in spite of discrimination and cultural violence. Every Australian should read this.

[Soo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely tedious book. The author’s prose was flat, boring and far too detailed and repetitive. This story would have been far more engaging if it had been written by somebody else or heavily edited. Shame, as there is an interesting story in there somewhere.

[Maz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good story of Akuch and her family's lives as from the war in South Sudan, through the struggles of living in a refugee camp, experiences of racism in a new country, through to happy endings hard won through family, support, resilience, and hard work.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookclub book for the month - follows Akuch's life growing up as a South Sudanese refugee in Kenya and her move to Australia with her family as a teenager - well written and she articulates well the fear and heartbreak her family faced in managing the ongoing violence perpetuated by her brother

[Sophie Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for book club, and true stories aren’t really my genre, but wow. this book really made me rethink that. it was heartbreaking and beautifully told and was thinking about it for a long time after.

[Merrilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and I enjoyed it overall. However it could have done with a good edit and an approach that flowed better. It seemed quite disjointed at times.