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Unknown - A Refugee’s Story

By: Akuch Kuol Anyieth
Narrated by: Dami Olukoya, Akuch Kuol Anyieth
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Publisher's Summary

A moving, confronting and ultimately uplifting story about a young girl’s escape, with her family, from war-torn South Sudan to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, and then to Australia.

In 1996, when Akuch Kuol Anyieth is five, her mother flees to Kakuma with her children, intent on finding safety and freedom for her family, while her husband stays behind in South Sudan to fight in the civil war. The family spends nine years in the camp, eking out an existence amidst famine, disease, unbearable heat and chronic violence. Despite their suffering, Akuch never loses hope or her sense of humour. She’s a bright student who loves learning and does well at the local school.

In 2005, the family is finally granted humanitarian visas to Australia. They are on the way to paradise. But the reality of their new lives in Melbourne is complex. As Anyieth’s brother’s behaviour spirals out of control, the family find themselves isolated and struggling with various forms of racism.

But Anyieth is determined. She learns English from scratch, excels in her educational achievements and tries to live the life of a regular teenager. Above all she does everything she can to help her family emerge from the bonds of violence.

©2022 Akuch Kuol Anyieth (P)2022 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"This is a compelling story about what it means to be a black refugee in Australia, told with fierce intelligence and urgency." (Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem)

"Akuch Kuol Anyieth's story is unwavering in its power, insight and grace. A riveting, necessary book." (Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer)

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ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE READ!

This book is life altering. Well written and breathe-taking story of survival and success against all odds. I loved loved loved this book.

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very opening

I honestly had no idea how common and accepted violence and sexual assault is within the community very informative. Having lived side by side with south Sudanese in Melbourne most are fine but the odd outbursts and targeted violence by some members for simply being in their orbits can be very off putting when all you want to do is live in peace.

it's an insightful book that explains why some members of the community have extremely anti social behaviours due to trauma.

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Wow….Inspiring

So captivating, humbling, gripping, inspiring, honest, raw, and true that illicit so many emotional and thought provoking reactions along the journey of your story. Thank you for sharing your heart and my prayer is for God to continue to bless you and your family as you continue as an instrument against the injustices, the racism, systemic abuse, and a “voice of one crying in the desert”. May the light of change and repentance be ever burning as you continue to help light the way.
Thank you 🙏🏽

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Captivating, funny, inspiring

I’d recommend this book to anyone living in Australia. Incredible, serious but with a good side amount of humor.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.