A review by mamalemma
An Impossible Return by Caroline Laurent

4.0

What if I told you that in the early 1970s, as part of the deconstruction of British Colonialism, the island of Mauritius sold away several islands to the British as payment for their independence, creating the “British Indian Ocean Territory.” Then, the British handed those islands over to the US for military bases. Well, okay, I guess. What if I then told you that there were people living on those islands, who were first starved when the British and Mauritius governments refused to send ships, and then when they did, and people went in search of food to bring home, they were not allowed to return? And what then, if I told you that those remaining were eventually packed up at gunpoint and shipped off the island in the stifling belly of a boat where they were given little food and water and then dropped off with no resources to live in wretched slums on the island of Mauritius? And that, despite legal battles that began in 1975, THE ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED TODAY. In fact, there are articles dated as recently as two days ago (12/16/2022), talking about the issue? I’m certain you would be as shocked and horrified as I am. This is that story. The people in the story are fictionalized, but the events are not, and the story is a compelling one. The book, which is a translation, is a little slow to get started, with many characters and storylines, but I highly recommend sticking with it, because it is an incredibly important read.