A review by dustycabbage
The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives by Viet Thanh Nguyen

4.0

4 stars. A great selection of pieces, and as I usually struggle with essay compilations, I thank Nguyen for putting these writers' voices together. As indicated from the title, one can assume this will be a moving piece of work, but while moving my heart, it also moved my mind just as much. Why do refugees have to show unending reverance for their sponsors or saviors, why are refugees not enough until they are too much? The questions raised across all of these authors provoke insightful questions and answers that many of the population aren't ready to face. As someone whose parents were refugees, I found a lot of my family's history amongst these pages, and yet, as I never experienced these things first hand, all I can do is listen and share. Of the essays, Nayeri's and Azam's were my favorites, but all of the works shine on their own.