The Ungrateful Refugee

by Dina Nayeri
The Ungrateful Refugee cover
Good Books rating 4.47
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 7278
  • Added: 2025-12-13
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781646220212
  • Publisher: Catapult
  • Published: 2020-09-15
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Ungrateful Refugee is a poignant and thought-provoking memoir by Dina Nayeri, who fled Iran as a child and eventually found asylum in America. Nayeri's personal story is interwoven with the experiences of other refugees and asylum seekers, offering a vivid and intimate look into their lives and the stages of their journeys. The book confronts and challenges the harmful stereotypes and notions often associated with refugees, such as 'the swarm' and 'good' immigrants. Nayeri's energetic prose and careful storytelling bring these heart-rending narratives to life, making this a compelling read that stimulates both the heart and the mind. In this book, Nayeri not only shares her own experiences but also gives voice to the often-unheard stories of other refugees. She explores the complexities of the refugee crisis, highlighting the ways in which Western governments prioritize certain dangers over others. The Ungrateful Refugee is a call to rethink how we talk about and address the refugee crisis, making it a timely and essential read.

Reviews
TEPSA · 2025-01-01
provocative 4.00

This is a very disturbing book, forcing you to look at migration from the angle of the migrant. It is also a provocative and thought-provoking book, as it challenges conventional narratives about immigration.

The reviewer finds this book to be deeply disturbing in the best way possible, as it forces readers to confront the realities of migration from the perspective of those who have lived it. The book is not just a personal memoir but a broader commentary on the political and social dynamics that shape the lives of refugees and immigrants. It challenges the reader to think critically about the notions of gratitude and debt often associated with those seeking asylum. The reviewer appreciates the book's provocative nature, which encourages a deeper understanding of the complexities and hardships faced by migrants. The personal anecdotes and reflections add a layer of authenticity and emotional depth that makes the book both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

Quick quotes

    This is a very disturbing book, forcing you to look at migration from the angle of the migrant.

    It is also a provocative and thought-provoking book, as the ...

    It challenges the reader to think critically about the notions of gratitude and debt often associated with those seeking asylum.

Hodges Figgis · 2025-01-01
essential 4.90

The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri truly is one of the best books I've read for a while! If you are concerned about the refugee crisis and wanting to get a deeper understanding of the experiences of refugees, this book is a must-read.

The reviewer highly recommends this book, describing it as one of the best they have read in a while. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the refugee crisis from a personal and deeply human perspective. The book provides a nuanced and empathetic look at the experiences of refugees, challenging the reader to think beyond the headlines and statistics. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to humanize the refugee experience, making it a poignant and necessary read. The personal stories and reflections shared in the book are both heart-wrenching and inspiring, offering a glimpse into the resilience and strength of those who have fled their homes in search of safety and a better life. The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful and important contribution to the ongoing conversation about migration and asylum.

Quick quotes

    The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri truly is one of the best books I've read for a while!

    If you are concerned about the refugee crisis and wanting to get a deeper understanding of the experiences of refugees, this book is a must-read.

    The book provides a nuanced and empathetic look at the experiences of refugees, challenging the reader to think beyond the headlines and statistics.

Michigan Quarterly Review · 2020-02-02
harrowing 4.50

The book unravels the bitter truth and tear-jerking stories of the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. It offers a profound and emotional journey through the experiences of displacement and resilience.

This review delves into the raw and unfiltered narratives of refugees, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of their journeys. The author presents a compelling case for understanding the complexities of refugee life, challenging the notion of gratitude often expected from those who have fled their homes. The stories shared are not just about survival but also about the struggle to maintain identity and dignity in the face of adversity. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to humanize the refugee experience, making it a poignant and necessary read for anyone seeking to understand the broader implications of migration and asylum.

Quick quotes

    The book unravels the bitter truth and tear-jerking stories of the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.

    It offers a profound and emotional journey through the experiences of displacement and resilience.

    The author presents a compelling case for understanding the complexities of refugee life.

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