Review: Between Us

 

Between Us by Clare Atkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I accidentally deleted my review and rating so I'm just rewriting it.

It's been a while since I read Between Us but I remember thinking it was great. It gives a genuine insight into what it's like for refugees trying to seek a better life.

I particularly liked Kenny. I thought the direction his character went was interesting. I distinctly remember discussing his fate in class, as he never received any kind of punishment for what he did to Ana, but I think that's what should be remembered when people read this book.

If you're hurt by someone, you usually have the opportunity to pursue some kind of justice. It might not always work, but that person can be punished for what they did to you. Now imagine you're a refugee. You've already been hurt enough as you left your home country. You flee to somewhere like Australia, but instead of being given the same privileges the rest of us have, you're forced into a tiny cell and treated like a prisoner. You may never settle down. And you most certainly will never be able to pursue justice for the pain inflicted upon you.

I read Between Us as part of a class curriculum at uni, and it is probably my favourite book I read while at uni.

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