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by Boomert - Asylum by Heather Tyler 11 Jan 2010
This collection of stories about Australia's refugees focuses on individual refugees. It is a perfect introduction for people who want to find out what drives refugees to our shores, and what happens when they get here. Although Asylum does not reveal anything new about our policies for readers familiar with the debate, it is still well worth a read for the fact that it goes straight to the emotional heart of the matter. I was profoundly moved by the stories in this collection, which are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Stories range from well-known cases such as Aamer Sultan, the Iraqi doctor who won a Human Rights Award for the psychiatric study he completed in detention, to stories told here for the first time. Tyler has travelled to detention centres across the country, and has become personally involved in the debate, going so far as to take on the role of mother toward one teenage boy who was left behind when his family returned to Iran. Her close emotional involvement with the issue comes through in the book and makes it all the more gripping. Asylum is a noteworthy addition to the growing range of books on the subject.

Jo Case is marketing and events coordinator at Dymocks Melbourne.

C. 2003 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors

Author Biography: Heather Tyler
Heather Tyler is a New Zealand born journalist who worked in Greece from 1980-91. She emigrated to Australia in 1991 and has worked as a sub-editor and feature writer for The Daily Telegraph and contributor for The Middle Eat times.

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Asylum, Paperback (March 2003)