The Penguin book of migration literature Departures, arrivals, generations, returns

Review by Booklist Review

This timely, yet not political collection offers glimpses into experiences connected with global migration through the eyes of those who braved the journey. Divided into four sections around the themes of departures, arrivals, generations, and returns, it includes poems, short stories, and nonfiction, all of which trace a path traveled from one country to another. The array of 33 writers includes some well-known, such as Edwidge Danticat (who presents the foreword), Zadie Smith, Mohsin Hamid, Marjane Satrapi, and Salman Rushdie, along with rising stars who will be new to most readers, thereby providing a smorgasbord of perspectives and literary styles. Editor Ahmad's thoughtfully built anthology covers the span of 300 years and 30 countries, and readers will find satisfaction whether they read it section by section, or by randomly choosing selections as the mood strikes. Ahmad's introduction explains the concepts and reasons behind the structure of the book, information about the authors is also provided, as well as lots of suggestions for further reading and viewing.--Stacey Hayman Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

In an era in which immigrants are increasingly demonized, Penguin assembles a well-curated collection of literature about the migration experience.Edited by Ahmad (English/St. John's Univ.; Landscapes of Hope: Anti-Colonial Utopianism in America, 2009, etc.) and featuring an eloquent introduction by MacArthur fellow Edwidge Danticat (The Art of Death, 2017, etc.), this compact but eye-opening book provides a sampling of literature, memoirs, and other writings about the experience of being an immigrant. To that end, the collection is arranged in a sequence that mimics what immigrants go through, starting with a section about "Departures," followed by "Arrivals," "Generations," and a single entry for "Returns," penned by Egyptian migrant Pauline Kaldas called, fittingly, "A Conversation." The breadth of Ahmad's selections is impressive given that she doesn't have a ton of space with which to work. "Departures" includes poetry from West Africa as well as more traditional and familiar entries from such authors as Salman Rushdie ("Good Advice Is Rarer Than Rubies") and a selection from Mohsin Hamid's bestselling novel How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia. The "Returns" section is equally diverse and includes poetry from Jamaican Claude McKay, a selection from the late E.R. Braithwaite's classic novel To Sir, With Love, and the celebrated writer and illustrator Marjane Satrapi's poignant graphic memoir Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return. Finally, in "Generations," Ahmad presents poetry from Native American author Joseph Bruchac, two selections by David Dabydeen, and an excerpt from Zadie Smith's White Teeth. Given the breadth and depth of the genre, this is a first-rate starting point for exploring migration literature and is almost certain to be taught in schools in the near future. Don't miss the "Suggestions for Further Reading and Viewing" at the back of the text, which is also excellently curated. The book also includes work by Olaudah Equiano, Eva Hoffman, Dinaw Mengestu, and Hanif Kureishi. A welcome, pocket-sized introduction to migration literature. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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