Somewhere We Are Human Audiobook Summary
“[These contributions] touch on so many different facets of the immigrant experience that readers will find much to ponder… [and] experience how creative writing enriches our understanding of each other and our lives.” –Booklist
Introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen
A unique collection of 41 groundbreaking essays, poems, and artwork by migrants, refugees and Dreamers–including award-winning writers, artists, and activists–that illuminate what it is like living undocumented today.
In the overheated debate about immigration, we often lose sight of the humanity at the heart of this complex issue. The immigrants and refugees living precariously in the United States are mothers and fathers, children, neighbors, and friends. Individuals propelled by hope and fear, they gamble their lives on the promise of America, yet their voices are rarely heard.
This anthology of essays, poetry, and art seeks to shift the immigration debate–now shaped by rancorous stereotypes and xenophobia–towards one rooted in humanity and justice. Through their storytelling and art, the contributors to this thought-provoking book remind us that they are human still. Transcending their current immigration status, they offer nuanced portraits of their existence before and after migration, the factors behind their choices, the pain of leaving their homeland and beginning anew in a strange country, and their collective hunger for a future not defined by borders.
Created entirely by undocumented or formerly undocumented migrants, Somewhere We Are Human is a journey of memory and yearning from people newly arrived to America, those who have been here for decades, and those who have ultimately chosen to leave or were deported. Touching on themes of race, class, gender, nationality, sexuality, politics, and parenthood, Somewhere We Are Human reveals how joy, hope, mourning, and perseverance can take root in the toughest soil and bloom in the harshest conditions.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
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Somewhere We Are Human Audiobook Narrator
Avi Roque is the narrator of Somewhere We Are Human audiobook that was written by Reyna Grande
Born in Mexico, Reyna Grande is the author of the bestselling memoirs The Distance Between Us and its sequel, A Dream Called Home, as well as the novels Across a Hundred Mountains, Dancing with Butterflies, and A Ballad of Love and Glory. Reyna has received an American Book Award, the El Premio Aztlán Literary Award, and a Latino Spirit Award. The young reader’s version of The Distance Between Us received an International Literacy Association Children’s Book Award. Her work has appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post’s The Lily, on CNN, and more. She has appeared on Oprah’s Book Club and has taught at the Macondo Writers Workshop, VONA, Bread Loaf, and other conferences for writers.
About the Author(s) of Somewhere We Are Human
Reyna Grande is the author of Somewhere We Are Human
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Somewhere We Are Human Full Details
Narrator | Avi Roque |
Length | 8 hours 16 minutes |
Author | Reyna Grande |
Category | |
Publisher | HarperAudio |
Release date | June 07, 2022 |
ISBN | 9780063095809 |
Subjects
The publisher of the Somewhere We Are Human is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Biography & Autobiography, Cultural Heritage
Additional info
The publisher of the Somewhere We Are Human is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780063095809.
Global Availability
This book is only available in the United States.
Goodreads Reviews
Suzanne
June 04, 2022
Moving anthology of the myriad experiences of American immigration in our time. There is no way to read these words and not marvel at the creativity that runs through all these individual works. This is not an anthology that is easily read in one sitting. The book as a whole stayed with me for quite awhile after completion. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Daniela
August 02, 2022
“Before driving away, he told you to remember the struggle and sacrifice it took to get here. That everything he’s done has always been for you, which every child of immigrants knows is code for a debt that you never asked for and will always remain h payable.”
Neelam
August 28, 2022
A sobering insight into the complexities and constant anxieties as a consequence of labelling humans as “illegal” for existing, for surviving. Would be amazing to have a UK version of this published.
Rachel
November 18, 2022
Collection of essays, poems, and artwork on the experience of living undocumented in the US today. Deeply impactful. Highly recommend.
Sara
May 26, 2022
A beautiful collection of essays and poetry written by migrants and refugees newly arrived to America. In our world today, our minds are focused on the political debate regarding immigration that we lose sight of humanity and forget about the people behind the issue. This collection is a must read for everyone! These stories and essays are inspiring, while others are truly heart-breaking. In the end, you take with you a deeper understanding of life and what really matters. *Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Vi Son
February 21, 2023
I adore this book. Imagine you’re walking through a local art exhibit displaying works by and for migrants /refugee and dreamers—vignettes rich-lived experience. This was the impression I felt after finishing “Somewhere We Are Human”. The book is a mosaic of short stories, poems and few art work that illuminates around the theme of diaspora, acclimation, race/class/sexuality (and list goes on). However, the pacing and rhythm of the book did felt disjointed at time for me. I had to remind myself that these are short stories from different writers and so the expectation of theme and structure will vary more so then reading a book from a single author (again not much of a fault of the book but rather my lack of experience reading a collection piece). With that said, as someone who identifies as a refugee, I felt seen after reading this book. Mentions of immigration status, the constant anxiety of “white gaze”, to the power dynamic of “front-desk gatekeepers” (DMV, hospital, employers, government establishment) all felt too familiar to me. Important read of the collective resilience👌
Shelby
February 07, 2023
If this book is on your want-to-read list, get it in your hands ASAP. This compilation of poems, essays, paintings, and short stories- in pieces, and in its entirety- are/is truly a work of art. I cannot speak highly enough; I am recommending it to all my reading buddies. It brings humanity, warmth, and life into a conversation that media and politics have frozen. Somewhere We Are Human discusses identity across borders, race, sexual orientation, religion, and gender identity. From heartache to hope and back to heartache, this book is a living, breathing witness to the strength of the human spirit and the evils of our systems. It is transcendence. A breath-taking, heart-wrenching, eye-opening, connective, absolutely essential read.
Joy
July 21, 2022
A very illuminating book about the real difficulties immigrants to America face in a country that more often than not is neither welcoming nor inclusive. Told through essays and poems, it becomes clear that undocumented immigrants are plagued by fear of discovery, knowing full well the capricious nature of the immigration system and the barriers it puts up to the hope of ever becoming a citizen. Fear of deportation is present in everyday life. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because the poetry was often hard to understand, but that is because of my own ignorance since I have no frame of reference to relate to it.
Kay
August 27, 2022
I am in tears and in awe at the resilience of my community. A community that I once wished I didn’t belong to because of how hard it is to be brown skinned and undocumented in America. Because of the mental and emotional damage you take on when you watch your friends grow up and lead normal lives and you can’t get a job or a drivers license. These stories made me feel heard, they made me feel seen, they showed me I am not alone and I am a part of a vibrant and creative and resilient community that I have grown to become insanely proud of.
Maria
September 29, 2022
This is an essential read for anyone who wants a better understanding of migrants and the toll it takes on any one person. What a great collection by so many talented authors, in all walks of life. Showcasing the effects felt not just by Latinos but by all cultures who leave love of country, home and family behind.
Mary
September 10, 2022
Beautiful. If you want to learn more about (im)migrants from (im)migrants, and how migration affects... everything... I highly recommend this book. So many diverse perspectives and ways of sharing (short stories, poetry, artwork), it was beautiful to read - and listen.
mary
May 25, 2022
this book pulls out the best and most insightful way to understand the heart of immigration with essays, poetry and prose. I was enlightened and felt there is a compassionate way to look as immigrates as your neighbors and take more action to welcome into our melting pot culture, good read
Randi
August 02, 2022
Loved the short stories and artwork; struggled with some of the poetry. Beautiful diversity of authors and backgrounds.
Juanita
August 03, 2022
This is a great collection of human experiences during different phases of the immigration process.
Amanda
August 21, 2022
Really important stories from a variety of voices. The only regret is that I didn't have the physical book (I listened via Libro) because there are images as well.
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