Travelers: A Novel

I am in total awe of the simplicity of the storytelling In this powerful and emotional collection. The language is accessible and eminently readable. From the tone, yes it may have been written for a Western audience but from the accessibility of the language and the relatability of the stories, it is written for the “travelers” as well- anyone who has ever been a stranger or gone somewhere for a better life and better opportunity, safety or a new identity.Being Nigerian and knowing people who have gone to desperate measures in search of a better life in Europe, these stories felt real like they were from people I knew. The collection of 6 stories are interlinked by an unnamed Nigerian protagonist- a long-term PhD scholar in America who is temporarily in Europe having accompanied his American wife there for her university fellowship. Our protagonist meets lots of travelers with different back stories that teach him about his own travel and exile from home even as he learns more about different dynamics leading to the migration of black and brown people into Europe in the 21st century.Book 1 tells the story of Mark, a Zambian who has self-exiled himself to Europe and considers himself a citizen of Berlin even though the apparently liberal city seeks to expel him. Book 2 is the story of Libyan, Manu and his daughter Rachida, and their ceaseless yet futile-seeming search for his wife and son from whom they were separated from crossing the Mediterranean. Book 3 is Portia’s story of the men in her family and their wanderlust and need for exile and rebellion from the land of their birth. Book 4 is about the ones who are pushed away from their homeland despite their desperate desire to stay and the depth of feeling of that loss of home and family no matter how many new travels are undertaken. Book 5 talks about the inhumanity of reception centers in Europe, and the impact of the first hand trauma on travelers and on local communities hosting such landing sites. Book 6 focuses on closure for the traveler and whether that is possible and if the journey is ever really complete. This collection covers some really heavy themes around the motivators for travel (emigration) from war, violence, insecurity, and intimidation, to discrimination, gender identity, and the hope of education and a better life. It is trigger and content warnings galore but also a very important read.This was almost perfect for me. My first minor nitpicky issue is that the stories all felt very “male” to me. Even Book 3 which had Portia telling a lot of the story felt very male-centered with the true travelers being Portia’s father and brother. I don’t know if that was intentional but I would have liked a bit more of a stronger approach to showing women as travelers. The only other nitpicky issue I have is the fact that this isn’t really own voices and sometimes in the storytelling it shows a bit- it is possible that I am reflecting myself but I couldn’t help but recognize some of my own privilege and judgment in the storytelling at times. I think the author wrote this with as much compassion and empathy and honesty from the perspective of a traveler as one can being close to a situation but not having the actual full lived experiences. The visceral nature of the language and the on-point-ness of the descriptions lives you in no doubt that this author did his research and spoke to people and knows these characters. However, there is still a faint air of being an outsider to the situation in it even though I think this is as close as you can get to authentic. I knew some of these characters too.What makes this a 5-star read for me is the approach to the storytelling. It is confirmation that you don’t have to overwork something to have a great impact with the storytelling. It never felt precious or contrived and for such a heavy subject with such heavy stories, it never felt like it was pushing the grief porn spectrum. The astuteness of the author’s witty observations gave this a sort of dark humor that provided that “you’ve got to laugh or else you’ll cry” air to this collection and relieved some of the heaviness. I don’t know how he did it with such simplicity but the author was able to capture that air of futile hope in the traveler that the destination will be different and better than the origin despite the loss and experiences you bring with you, and even within the hopelessness of a magically improved future, there is the imprint of a hope that once existed and an optimism that breathes life into this otherwise devastating collection of stories. I think this was fantastic.

My InterestOur world is experiencing an unprecedented flux of refugees. Border policies, immigration laws, and related policy topics are at the forefront of national debates. All varieties of exclusionist Nationalism are rearing their ugly heads all over the place.The StoryLeaving America with his wife so she can do accept a prestigious fellowship in Berlin, a Nigerian graduate student finds life in today’s Europe to be an interesting mix of nationalities–all seeking to better their lives in affluent, well-educated Northern European countries. The various characters that cycle through the story come from different countries–mostly African nations struggling with poverty. Some have been refugees, others have arrived as students. All come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. The refugee experience, whether intentional or from lapsing out of legal status, is what they have in common.My ThoughtsWhen Malawi was mentioned I knew I’d read this book. Zambia came up as well as other countries with which I was familiar. I found the stories poignant, but not cloying. The characters were mostly very believable. One was a bit pc but it made me stop and wonder, if, just if, perhaps things truly have changed enough for that character’s story to be based on reality. The narrative was woven like a tapestry–the different people and experiences overlapping in a way that I enjoyed. The ways people adapted, the places they made into homes, those were the human side of things that we often forget and which the book made so real. I will definitely read more of this author’s work.

I loved this book. It reads more like a collection of (long) short stories than a novel (and I wonder if that was how it was concieved originally, especially as the coincidences seem implausible), but every story was worth reading and I enjoyed every single one of them. THis is a relevant, timely read

This was one of the best books I have recently read. It is a must-read for everyone who believes the conspiracy theories about migrants. Especially recommended for European citizens.

This is the best book I read in 2019. A beautiful set of interlocking stories that illustrate the small mistakes that lead to catastrophe especially for immigrants.

Amazing book

I am a quarter of the way through this book, and I am struggling to get farther along. This was a book club pick, so I will try to at least skim the rest of it, but even that will be painful.

Habila is a major artist. This novel is a tender rendering of painful circumstances. Traveling often suggests adventure, challenge, and making new friends. It also leads to introspection and realization. Many years ago in Eritrea on a day trip to Keren from Asmara I was stopped by a policeman and asked to prove who I was. I didn’t have any identification, was placed under house arrest at the nearby US Army base, and later driven to my hotel to collect my passport and proof of identity. Lesson learned: life is inherently existential and always carry your passport. This novel is about Africans in Europe with and without identification. It is about refugees, green-card holders, academics, and the lost. It is about human beings trying to help others. You’ll think differently about those Africans leaving Libya in overcrowded boats. The bell is tolling for all of us.

This was a book club choice and it is well worth reading, one of my favourites this year. Interlinked stories about life in Germany from outsiders points of view.

Alles super

Travellers reads more like a series of short stories linked by the appearance of some of the characters in the tales of other refugees and asylum seekers. It is a powerful account of the lives of people driven into exile and how other countries respond. It is not an easy read as disaster lurks round every corner and individuals live with no hope of resolution to their status as illegal immigrants. However you cannot help but admire their persistence and tenacity in such dire circumstances. I am glad I read this book.

Very skilfully written and constructed; makes a gripping story. Tragic theme, the lives of immigrants,or rather exiles, handled without sentimentality or rancour; doesn't attempt political judgements.