Monday, May 4, 2026

Top 5 books about the Australian immigrant experience, chosen by Michelle de Kretser - Big Issue

Top 5 books about the Australian immigrant experience, chosen by Michelle de Kretser - Big Issue



Top 5 books about the Australian immigrant experience, chosen by Michelle de Kretser


The Australian immigrant and novelist selects five books that talk about what it's like to be a migrant down under
Michelle de Kretser
23 Apr 2023

Oh Lucky Country by Rosa Cappiello

Immigrating in huge numbers post-war, southern Europeans transformed Australia. This compelling novel is a fierce take on Anglo-Australian society and its prejudices.  

Heddy and Me by Susan Varga

Heddy was a Hungarian Holocaust survivor. This memoir by her daughter explores the impact of her mother’s experiences on their relationship. 

Love and Vertigo by Hsu-Ming Teo

This insightful and moving novel describes generational differences and parental expectations in an immigrant family of Malaysian and Chinese heritage. 

The Tribe by Michael Mohammed Ahmad

The Lebanese community of south-western Sydney is often targeted by a blatantly Islamophobic media. This frank novella, from a child’s point of view, counters that prejudice with an insider’s account of a Lebanese family. 

The Permanent Resident by Roanna Gonsalves

This terrific collection focuses on the tough lives of Indian immigrants in Sydney. Gonsalves is a witty writer, but her stories are often moving as her lively, flawed characters strive for their goal of permanent residency.  

No comments:

Post a Comment