Writers on refugees: Why Australia should welcome them
Boronia Park Uniting Church, 93 Pittwater Road, Boronia Park, NSW
Contact
Book Robin to speak at your event: events@thepeoplesmuggler.com
Get in touch with Robin directly: robin@thepeoplesmuggler.com
Now Available in Paperback
At once a non-fiction thriller and a moral maze, this book The People Smuggler is one man's epic story of trying to find a safe place in the world.
When Ali Al Jenabi flees Saddam Hussein's torture chambers, he is forced to leave his family behind in Iraq. What follows is an incredible international odyssey through the shadow world of fake passports, crowded camps and illegal border crossings, living every day with excruciating uncertainty about what the next will bring.
Through betrayal, triumph, misfortune – even romance and heartbreak – Ali is sustained by his fierce love of freedom and family. Continually pushed to the limits of his endurance, eventually he must confront what he has been forced to become.
With enormous power and insight, The People Smuggler tells a story of daily heroism, bringing to life the forces that drive so many people to put their lives in unscrupulous hands. It is an utterly gripping portrait of a man cut loose from the protections of civilisation, attempting to retain his dignity and humanity while taking whatever path he can out of an impossible position.
'An astonishing story...' Sebastian Faulks, Favourite Book of the Year 2013, New York Times Book Reviews
'The adventures make Les Miserables look like plain sailing. Unforgettable.' Sebastian Faulks, Favourite Book of the Year 2013, The Guardian
'Just finished the most extraordinary book. It has opened my eyes in a life-changing way ... The People Smuggler, by Robin de Crespigny. Never before have I read such a personable, heart-wrenching account of an asylum seeker and the horrors of what they've had to endure.' Missy Higgins
'A totally riveting story about a brave and honourable man. Passionate, vivid and true, it bounces off the page.' Rosie Scott
'A must-read ... it's an illuminating tale in the context of the asylum seeker debate. A thriller and an inspirational story.' Paul Morgan, Australian Book Review
'While giving us the details of Ali Jenabi's plight, the dramatic narrative holds strong ... Compelling.' Dianne Dempsey, The Age
'This is a story that had to be told.' The Weekend Australian
'An engrossing account of a man seen by some as a saviour and others as a criminal. A significant book.' Thomas Keneally
'This is a story every Australian should read ... a complex mixture of love of family and a hard-edged determination to survive in a brutal, unforgiving world.' Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald
'An epic story full of dramatic reversals and cinematic cliff-hangers ... Ali emerges as an unlikely but true blue hero: resilent, loyal to his mates and protective of those weaker than himself, canny, resourceful, unafraid of sacrifice, a man of honour ...' Jose Borghino, The Australian
'His story ... is just mind-blowing. This moving saga of endurance and bravery could well compel a stone to cry.' The Australian Way (Qantas Magazine)
'It's gripping, thrilling, humorous and epic. This book is compulsive reading and a story of our times.' Helen Crompton, The West Australian
'A must-read ... It's an illuminating tale in the context of the asylum-seeker debate ... a thriller and an inspirational story.’
Jane Sullivan, The Saturday Age
'Tight, powerful and extraordinarily well-written ... It is a book which glories in the strength, courage and compassion of the human spirit.' Bruce Haigh, The Canberra Times
'One of the most immensely readable and most deeply thought-provoking books ... a reminder of the power of literature to capture stories that not only change the world but also change the way we think.' Byron Shire Echo
'A remarkable tale of one man's odyssey.' The Sunday Mail
'Aptly described as a non-fiction thriller and a moral maze is thus a considered, timely and insightful account of one man's incredible experience.' Michael Jacobsen, Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin
'The story of Ali is one of extraordinary courage which contrasts the human capacity for brutality and cruelty with that of compassion and genuine kindness.' Toowoomba Chronicle
'An amazing book. It reads like an adventure story, telling the harrowing and heartbreaking story of Ali's journey ...' Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Volume 24, Number 2
'Ali's story is absolutely riveting ... read it and be angry. And then maybe write a letter to your MP.' Grant Hansen, Good Reading
'A gripping account of one man's determination to free himself, his family and his people ... a fascinating insider's perspective of the underbelly of a global crisis.' Instyle
'It is an utterly gripping portrait of a man ... attempting to retain his dignity and humanity.' Mid-West Times
'An incredible tale ... utterly gripping and fascinating.' Yen
'Throughout this important book, Ali emerges as an important hero ... It's also a book that reveals the strength of the human spirit.' The Week
'Sometimes, it seems the unlucky just fell to earth ... nothing to define them as human beings ... The People Smuggler changed that for me'. Gail Forrer, Noosa News
'This book should be compulsory reading to those concerned about asylum seekers, which seems to be a great many of us.' Pittwater Life
'With enormous power and insight, The People Smuggler tells a story of daily heroism, bringing to life the forces that drive so many people to put their lives in unscrupulous hands.' Imagine
'The People Smuggler is a fabulous, must-read book.' Fiona Crawford, Boomerang
'The People Smuggler is a rollercoaster, with characters and a story that will stay with you long after you've read it.' Erica Bartle, Girl With a Satchel
'[An] engrossing story ... it will open a country's eyes to what refugees are fleeing from.' Good Reads
'It is a tribute to the quality of the writing that the book raises political questions about refugees without breaking the stride of the very personal story it tells.' Chris Breen, Refugee Action Collective, Victoria
‘This wonderfully written book projects Ali’s brave and authentic voice in a way that is captivating and compelling.'
Mark Goudkamp, refugeeaction.org.au
'The book had me turning page after page waiting for a lull, so I could put it down and go to sleep, but none came.' Tarla's Blog, AWA
Published by Penguin Books Australia
Events
Past Events
Previous events
NSW State Library Talk
NSW State Library Talk, Friends Room, Ground Floor Mitchell Library Bldg, Sydney, NSW
NSW State Library Talk Tuesday, 27 June 2017 - 6pm to 7:30pm. Friends Room, Ground Floor Mitchell Library Bldg, NSW State Library, Sydney. Entrance free with door prizes of signed copies of The People Smuggler Please Visit: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/whats-on?view=all&series[0]=48871&series[1]=42556
Refugee Week Bega Valley speaking tour
Bega, NSW
Join Robin de Crespigny, author of the multi award-winning best-seller The People Smuggler, who will be touring the South Coast for talks during Refugee Week: Thursday 22 June -Author Talk, Bermagui Library 10:30am
Thursday 22 June - Author Talk,Booktique Bookshop, Merimbula 4pm
Friday 23 June – Address to Rally, Refugee Welcome Zone Bega Littleton Gardens, 10am
Friday 23 June -Author Talk, Bega Library 12:00pm
Address to Rally, Refugee Welcome Zone Bega Littleton Gardens Robin de Crespigny Speaking at the Refugee Rally in Bega NSW on Friday 23 June.
Refugee Week Talk
Merimbula Booktique, 5/4-10 Market St, Merimbula, NSW
Robin presenting Refugee Week talk at Booktique bookstore in Merimbula(Photo: Bookstore Booktique)
Free
Read Between the Wines: Book, Wine & Cheese Night presented by Road to Refuge
Gallery 314, Richmond, Gallery 314, Richmond, VIC
Road to Refuge's debut Read Between the Wines Book Night is featuring the award-winning book, The People Smuggler by Robin de Crespigny.Interview with Robin followed by open Q&A with guests. Wine & cheese is provided. Guests are invited to stay on after the Q&A for more wine, cheese and conversation.Tickets $5 conc/$10 adult: http://www.trybooking.com/FUSC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SPECIAL TICKET OPTION: ticket plus a discounted copy of The People Smuggler sent out to you in advance. This way you can get reading in advance and our discussion with Robin can delve deeper into the issues raised in her book about seeking asylum, people smugglers and the journey of an extraordinary refugee from Iraq. With $10 off the RRP, it’s worth grabbing taking advantage of the deal!Generously sponsored by PachaMama Wines.Limited parking but easily accessible by the 70, 75 or 78/79 tram.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Crespigny’s non-fictional account follows the transformational journey of a refugee fleeing Saddam Hussein’s regime in an attempt to retain one’s dignity and hope in the face of enduring uncertainty. Find out more about the book: thepeoplesmuggler.com. This is a book that the Road to Refuge crew is passionate above and highly recommend. It has won and been short-listed for numerous awards. You can find out more about the book at thepeoplesmuggler.com
$5/$10
Orange NSW - Public meeting in support of asylum seekers and children in detention
Kenna Hall, 88 Hill Street, Orange, NSW
High Tea at Better Read than Dead with Robin de Crespigny
High Tea at Better Read than Dead, 265 King St, Newtown, NSW
$10
NSW/ACT IEU Women's Conference
NSW/ACT IEU Women's Conference, Mercure Hotel, 818-820 George Street, Sydney, NSW
Bathurst: Free Public Lecture - The People Smuggler
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst Campus, Building 1292, Room 223, Bathurst, NSW
Robin de Crespigny at Brookvale Probus
Brookvale Probus, Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club, Pittwater Road,, Brookvale, NSW
Small donation
Various venues
Various venues, Around Australia
Pearson Professional Learning - F12 Leaders in Literacy Education: The art of meaning making in a modern world Robin joins authors at the Pearson Professional Learning conference. See the program here.
Thebarton Senior College hosts Robin de Crespigny
Therabaton Senior College, 40 Ashley Street, Torrensville, Adelaide, SA
Free
St Therese's Parish Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Group hosts Robin de Crespigny
St Bernard's College Boardroom, 41 Rosehill Rd, Essendon, Melbourne
Cheltenham Library: hear Robin de Crespigny, author of The People Smuggler
Kingston Library, 12 Stanley Ave, Cheltenham, Victoria
See web site
Carey Grammar Literary Evening
Carey Grammar Literary Evening, De Young Centre for the Performing Arts Foyer, Kew, Melbourne, Victoria
An Evening with Robin de CrespignyMonday 19 May 7.00-9.00pmDe Young Centre for the Performing Arts FoyerTickets $15 bookings close 13 May
Click here to book now!
$15
Margaret River Writers Festival, WA: featuring Robin de Crespigny
Margaret River Writers Festival, Margaret River Cultural Centre, Margaret River, WA
Robin is speaking at the Margaret River Writers Festival. On Saturday the 17th of May at from 2:30-3:15pm, she will speak on THE PEOPLE SMUGGLER: A CONTROVERSIAL JOURNEY. For more information please download the program at this link.
Writers Live - A Country Too Far - Writing on Asylum Seekers
Berkelouw Leichhardt, 70 Norton Street, Leichhardt, Sydney
One of the central moral issues of our time is the question of asylum seekers, arguably the most controversial subject in Australia today. A Country Too Far - Writings on Asylum Seekers edited by Rosie Scott and Tom Keneally, is a landmark anthology including work from twenty-seven of Australia's finest writers, who have focussed their intelligence and creativity on the theme of the dispossessed, bringing a whole new perspective of depth and truthfulness to what has become a fraught, distorted war of words. This anthology confirms that the experience of seeking asylum - the journeys of escape from death, starvation, poverty or terror to an imagined paradise - is part of the Australian mindset and deeply embedded in our culture and personal histories. This book is a tour de force of stunning fiction, memoir, poetry and essays. We are pleased to welcome three distinguished Australian writers when they discuss A Country Too Far - Writings on Asylum Seekers at 6.30pm on Thursday, May 8th, 2014, at Berkelouw Books in Leichhardt. Rosie Scott is an internationally published award-winning writer who has published six novels, and a collection each of short stories, poems and essays. Along with Tom Keneally she is editor of A Country Too Far. Debra Adelaide is the author of three novels including The Household Guide to Dying (2008). Her latest book is a collection of short fiction, Letter to George Clooney. She is associate professor in the creative writing program at the University of Technology, Sydney. Robin de Crespigny is a Sydney filmmaker and a former lecturer at the Australian Film, Television and Radio school. In 2008 she began writing a screenplay about the life of Ali Al Jenabi which became the award-winning book The People Smuggler. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 9560 3200. Cost: $ 8.50 which will be credited against any purchases made on the evening. - See more at: http://berkelouw.com.au/events/writers-live-a-country-too-far-writings-on-asylum-seekers#sthash.rAqkV5kl.dpuf
$8.50
Wollombi hosts a public talk by Robin de Crespigny
Wollombi, Panino's
Book Club: ‘The People Smuggler’ with author Robin de Crespigny
Amnesty Book Club, NSW Amnesty Action Centre, Level 1, 79 Myrtle St, Chippendale, NSW
Get full details at this link
Morning tea with Robin de Crespigny in Launceston
HC Abbott Hall, 88 Patterson Street, Launceston, TAS
Free