Cast Away
McDonald-Gibson, CharlotteExperienced journalist Charlotte McDonald-Gibson puts her foreign correspondent's hat on to bring us face-to-face with Europe's refugee crisis. Focusing on five individuals from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, she presents their stories in all their individual and collective misery: what has happened to them and their families, and their options and hope for the future. As well as giving a human face to this complex issue, the author also provides the historical and political context for these desperate journeys and Europe's response to them.
A well-documented and compassionate accounting of an ongoing humanitarian disaster.
Pages
336
336
Year
2016
2016
Reviews
28-11-2023
Fascinating story, well-written and we had an excellent discussion.
05-10-2021
Very small group, as this was the night Auckland went into L4 lockdown. 2 people finished the book and though it was very good. 2 of us hadn't read it, because we knew a lot about the refugee crisis, and also because it was during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and too heart-breaking.
25-06-2021
We felt 'Cast Away' was a well-written informative book. In describing the plights of the fifteen refugees, McDonald-Gibson gave a human face to this crisis. Her writing of political situations of all the countries involved was most enlightening, and provided much to discuss. A thoroughly worthy read, albeit rather disturbing.
23-10-2020
This is a compelling but heartbreaking read. Refugees have such courage to take off into the unknown, leaving behind often dreadful lives in war torn countries. After lengthy discussion, we are so grateful to live in such a free country where we can vote without fear and write almost anything. Highly recommended.
19-08-2020
We had a Zoom book group meeting. A sobering read, and so recent but on the other side of the world. We are so lucky living in NZ.
19-08-2020
A very divided group over the merit of this book. Some enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. Several found they could not read it , the content being too harrowing.
27-11-2019
Very grim, but very real reading.
15-10-2019
Heart wrenching book that should be compulsory reading in schools, maybe
22-08-2019
Overall our group's response to Cast Away was positive. We had a lengthy interesting discussion, but there was a feeling that there was rather too much statistical and political commentary which interrupted the story.
17-07-2019
We had a great discussion and learnt a lot about the plight of these refugees, especially these well-educated and wealthy ones. We are still reading about this problem in our papers. Well worth the effort to read - but somewhat disjointed in the change from chapter to chapter, and character to character.
17-07-2019
Well-written and very factual.