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
Follow
Gallery
Robin and Orange Councillor Neil Jones
Robin posing for a photo in Orange
Robin reading to students at James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange
Robin speaking with students from James Sheahan Catholic High School Orange
Robin with Father Paul Devitt and students at James Sheahan in Orange
The crowd listening to Robin in Kenna Hall, Orange
Robin speaking in Kenna Hall, Orange
Robin speaking at the Catholic Education Office's Leading Inspirations Dinner (credit: Raulan Graje
Robin speaking at the Catholic Education Office's Leading Inspirations Dinner (credit: Raulan Grajew
Robin with refugee advocate Lan Vy at the Catholic Education Office dinner (credit: Raulan Grajewski
A full house at the Catholic Education Office Dinner (credit: Raulan Grajewski)
Robin and organisers at the Catholic Education Office dinner ((credit: Raulan Grajewski)
Robin with the team at the Catholic Education Office dinner (credit: Raulan Grajewski)
Robin with fellow speakers at the Catholic Education Office dinner ((credit: Raulan Grajewski)
With the Refugee Rights Action Network in WA after speaking at Freemantle Town Hall
Rosie Scott, Robin and Debra Adelaide at Berkelouw Books discussing the anthology, A Country Too Far
Robin MC'ing Sydney's Palm Sunday rally for refugees
Robin with MP Andrew Wilkie and Heather Kirkpatrick, director of Mary Meets Mohammed
Robin with organisers and volunteers in Tasmania
Robin signing books in Tasmania
Discussing the issues at a book signing in Tasmania
Robin discussing her book in Tasmania
Robin speaking in Tasmania
Robin with fellow advocates at the launch of The Undesirables: Inside Nauru
Robin with Mark Isaacs' proud parents and her partner, Chris
Robin with author of The Undesirables, Mark Isaacs, at his book launch
Robin with her youngest ever guest at a speaking event
Robin with guests at Glebe Cafe Church event
Robin with students and teachers from Ulladulla High School
Robin at the launch of the compilation of refugee stories, A Country Too Far
Robin speaks to a refugee child over the fence at Darwin Airport Lodge
Robin at Ubud Writers Festival with Janet de Neefe, and host of a banquet for writers and guests
Banquet at Ubud Writers Festival
Robin on a panel at the Ubud Writers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
Robin and author Diana Greentree on Ubud Writers Festival panel
Julian Burnside and Carina Hoag on Ubud panel
Audience at Ubud Writers Festival
With my students at a class in Ubud
Robin with volunteers from Uniting Church in Brisbane
Robin in Toowoomba's local press
Robin with Margaret Battle and refugee at St Saviours College Toowoomba
Robin de Crespigny winning the Ned Kelly award
Robin at Stirling Library, Adelaide
Robin speaks at Unley Library, Adelaide
Robin speaks at Bega high school
Robin at Byron Bay Writers' Festival
With cousin Richard de Crespigny of QF32 fame and wife Coral at the Byran Bay Writers Festival after being on a panel together
Robin with event organisers from Unley Library in Adelaide
Robin at the Voices on the Coast festival
Adelaide Circle of Friends hosts Robin de Crespigny
Robin speaking for Adelaide Circle of Friends
Robin with Sydney Writers' Festival panellists
Robin on the Sydney Writers' Festival panel
Robin at the Bateman's Bay Library
Robin at Caloundra Library
Robin gets thanks at Balgowlah Rotary
Robin at Balgowlah Rotary
Robin de Crespigny speaks for RRAN Perth
Robin with organisers from the Refugee Rights Action Network (RRAN) in Perth after a fantastically s
Robin's visit to Kiama Library in the local paper
Robin speaks at Moreland Library with Tony Kevin and Pamela Curr
Robin de Crespigny speaks at Katoomba Library
Robin with Claude of Concord Library
Robin de Crespigny speaks at Concord Library
Robin addresses the crowd at the Mosman Library
Robin speaking at the Mosman Library
Robin speaks at Darling Harbour Rotary
Robin with Michael Mazza, President of the Rotary Club of Darling Harbour
Robin speaks at Bendigo Rotary
Robin with Bendigo Rotary and Bendigo Strathdale Presidents
Robin signing books at Laverton Point Rotary
Robin answers questions at the Laverton Point Rotary
Robin address the crowd at Laverton Point Rotary
Robin signing books at the Lux Foundry in Melbourne
Robin at the Queensland Literary Awards
Robin speaking at the Queensland Literary Awards, where she won best the non-fiction award
Recieving The Human Rights Award for Litrature from MP Susan Ryan
Robin speaks to the crowd at Moreland Library
The crowd at Moreland Library
Ali with actors Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown at a meeting in Balmain
Robin and Ali on the panel at the Sydney Writers' Festival
Robin speaks at the Noosa Longweekend
Robin reads at the Noosa Longweekend
Robin's Book Launch speech at Sydney Writers Festival 2012
The crowd at the Sydney Writers' Festival book launch of The People Smuggler
Ali speaks at the launch with Faris, survivor of the SIEV X
John Highfield MC at book launch
Bruce Haigh introduces Robin at the Sydney Writers' Festival book launch
Robin at the book launch
The book launch at the Sydney Writers Festival
Ali Al Jenabi speaks at the Sydney Writers' Festival, with Faris, a SIEV X survivor
Ali with Faris, survivor of the SIEV X, at the Sydney Writers Festival book launch
Ben Ball Penguin publisher
Book launch signing
Robin signs books for fans at the Sydney Writers' Festival
Robin signing books at the Sydney Writers' Festival
Refugee Rally in Sydney
With Ngareta Rossell and Sister Aileen Crow
A day at home with Monkey
With Stephen Vidler at Newcastle Writers Festival
With Newcastle Counciler Therese
At the Walkley Awards nomiination
At the Walkley Awards nomination
With Christopher at Walkley awards
Robin de Crespigny speaks for RRAN Perth (2)
Adelaide Festival
In Launceston Tasmania
Students at James Schean in Orange
Glebe Cafe event with singer songwriter Hester Fraser
Searching for 'The People Smuggler'
Margret RoadKnight after performing for Grandmothers for Refugees
Margaret RoadKnight's perfermand in fron to the Melb Cathedral for Grandmothers for Refugees Rally
The paperback just released
Sydney protest for refugees
Speaking tour around Gippsland with Bill Ethell
Demo for Refugees in Central Park, Sydney
Writers for Refugees talk at Baronia park
Passionate advocate & friend Haillie Fernandezas
At the Noosa Festival
With authors Carina Hoag, Kooshya Carimi after a talk in WA
With Kooshya Carimi at WA Festival
With Jo Smith at the Adelaide Writers Festival
With Susi Touma after a talk at Randwick Library
These books are cakes. Incredible. At the