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Still catching up, and obviously this isn't crime fiction but I just have to mention this book.  Wow.  A harrowing tale of what it means to be a refugee.  An uplifting example of what it means to be human. 

From the Blurb:

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia.  His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat.  But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about.

Opening Lines:

I'm flying down the Hume Highway at 130 kilometres an hour.  I've lost control a few times but the brrrr of those white guide things on the side of the road keep me on track.  A steering wheel wet from tears is a very slippery object.  I am sobbing uncontrollably.

BOOK DETAILS
BOOK INFORMATION
Author
ISBN
9781742372389
Year of Publication
BLURB

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about. Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was only nine - they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four,' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it

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Submitted by Karen on Fri, 31/12/2010 - 07:12 pm