World Refugee Day: Read these six books that delve into the lives of migrants

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As per United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 26 million refugees across the world. To honour and celebrate refugees from all over, the United Nations has designated June 20 as World Refugee Day. As the conversation around migrants continues to grow, interest in migrant literature has steadily risen. From memoirs to fiction, here is a list of books that delve into the experiences surrounding immigration.

The Devil's Highway: A true story by Luis Alberto Urrea

A moving tale of a group of impoverished men attempting to cross the US-Mexico border via "the devil's highway", a region considered to be the deadliest in Northern America. Cited to be a visceral contemporary account of the US border policy, the novel tells a story of extraordinary courage and hope in the face of death. Published in 2004, The Devil's Highway was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for General Non-fiction.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

Based on the author's experiences as a volunteer at a refugee centre in Athens, the novel offers readers a close-up look at the journey of refugees who fled Aleppo and the horrors of the Syrian War for Europe. Published in 2019, this intimate account paints a picture of the devastation that upended countless innocent lives and humanises those who have suffered.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Published in 2017, the novel was a finalist for the National Book Award for fiction. Set during early 20^th century, Pachinko is an epic historical drama following the trials and tribulations of a Korean family who immigrate to Japan. The noteworthy book is a character-driven tale that delves into key issues of racism and stereotyping while offering readers a unique cultural insight into Korean-Japanese relationship.

Learning to Die in Miami: Confessions of a Refugee Boy by Carlos Eire

Uprooted during the Cuban revolution, Carlos Eyre and his older brother faced endless challenges when they left Cuba for a starkly contrasting world. From learning a new language to constantly moving between foster homes, they experienced it all. The novel is a memoir exploring the early years of the author, as he adapts to a new life in Kennedy-era Miami in the US.

Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih

A classic post-colonial novel, the Season of Migration to the North follows the journey of a young Sudanese man to Europe while delving into the impact of British colonialism and European modernity on rural African societies, and Sudanese culture and identity. Published in 1966 and translated into more than 20 languages, the widely acclaimed novel is considered to be among the most significant works of Arab migrant literature.

Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz

The novel follows the story of two orphaned teenagers who grow up in Montreal under the keen watch of their traditional Sikh uncle. As the siblings come of age in a clash of cultures and encounter intense personal struggles, the author spins a tale laced with mystery that keeps the reader hooked and emotionally involved.

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