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By: CHCH 312
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2026-01-01 14:27:23 |
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This was a compelling read - horrifying how the Australian Government responded, but heartening to see how those who got to N.Z. have settled and made a new life, while still retaining their culture and identity. |
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By: PICT 005
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2025-12-08 19:56:07 |
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A compelling story, an inspiration, with very clear insight into the Afghanistan that Abbas Nazan's family left behind, and into their experiences on the Tampa. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2025-10-15 14:29:22 |
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Informative account of a refugee experience, made all the more compelling because it was woven into the familiar context of New Zealand. Despite the hardship and terror of journeying out of Aghanistan, this was a hopeful and inspiring story, simply told. It prompted much discussion in the group at a time when the issue of refugees and migration has become central in global politics. |
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By: PAIHIA 001
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2025-09-02 17:03:30 |
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Easy read, we all enjoyed this side of that very public story. |
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By: AUCK 008
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2025-08-04 09:53:25 |
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Not one of our favourite books but we did admire the determination of this family to stay safe and together through careful planning, hard work, and a lot of good luck! |
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By: AUCK 116
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2025-06-09 10:14:40 |
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What a wonderful young man. We thoroughly enjoyed reading his, and his family's story. Starting with nothing, encouraging education, and building a business. Inspirational. |
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By: MAST 003
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2025-03-20 10:10:16 |
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The group really enjoyed this. Abbas managed difficult issues very sensitively and his writing was fluent and easy to read. A very accomplished man. |
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By: THAM 002
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2025-03-10 14:00:30 |
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An important book to help us understand the reasons for refugees and the political forces at play. it was an inspiring book - we were thrilled with the outcome. Highly relevant today. |
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By: AUCK 255
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2025-02-20 19:06:04 |
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Unanimous agreement on the value of this book - should be added to the NZ and Australian school curriculum. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2025-01-24 14:01:59 |
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An eye-opening account of what really happened to a story we all thought we knew but obviously didn't! The wonderfully inspiring and driven attitude of the family to succeed, and the human endurance needed to survive. And well done New Zealand, in how you respect and humanely look after refugees. |
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By: BLENH 031
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2024-12-05 10:19:25 |
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An amazing read from multiple perspectives but woven through this was a very personal story of a family who were an ethnic minority in their homeland, their will to survive but also thrive is inspirational. The story highlighted to us the many millions of displaced people in the world who dream of a better tomorrow - we are so lucky to live where we do. A thought provoking read and discussion for us all. |
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By: AUCK 100
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2024-08-26 15:13:27 |
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Our group thought that 'After the Tampa' should be a compulsory text in schools. And all politicians should read it. Some members of our group had experience of refugees through their work and voluntary work, including one person who had met the author. Another excellent book from BDS. Thank you. |
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By: ROTO 010
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2024-08-13 21:12:12 |
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Excellent read members thought, and turned our discussion to the 117.5 million displaced people in the world and how NZ takes 1500 to settle here per year. We thought the author to be brave and his narrative was clearly written. We enjoyed his story and success. |
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By: HAVE 012
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2024-08-01 10:05:31 |
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'After the Tampa' resonated with all our group with many members admitting it changed the way they thought about refugees. Many went on to do extra research. |
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By: NELS 065
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2024-06-10 10:32:34 |
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Wow, what a book. Our book group's favourite title this year. It has inspired a third of our group to apply to become local Red Cross Refugee ( resettlement) volunteers. What an inspiring life and full of hope for the future. |
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By: TEPUK 006
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2024-04-15 10:09:35 |
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Excellent book. Highlights the plight of refugees. Insight into how to successfully resettle a refugee family into a new country and different culture. Given a chance to reach their potential, human beings can achieve so much. |
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By: DUNED 089
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2024-03-14 13:27:43 |
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This book would rate as one of our highest 'reads'. It made for good discussion and thoughtful reflection on that political time. Very easy to read giving an in depth understanding of a family 'in flight', and the implications. We also listened to the TedX talk which was well worthwhile doing. |
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By: CHCH 518
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2024-02-22 10:32:28 |
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Enjoyed by the whole group and we had a rewarding discussion. This book is a gem! |
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By: ASHB 016
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2023-11-23 15:37:07 |
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We all enjoyed this book and remembered it being on the news, but realised we all knew very little about the story behind it. It was a great insight into refugees and what their life is like, having to escape and how traumatic it has been to get to this point. Most of us had very little idea - one lady is a refugee helper so it was interesting to talk to her about it. Very well written and easy to read - would recommend to anyone to read it. Once again, we are so lucky to live here. |
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By: LOWER 021
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2023-10-30 10:17:25 |
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The group very much enjoyed this book. An inspirational story based on a very real global dilemma that is refugees escaping persecution in their own homelands. The group enjoyed a very animated discussion, offering a variety of solutions, but conceding that the best we can often do is to provide humanitarian support even if there is little else that can be done. |
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By: PAIHIA 003
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2023-10-16 09:55:12 |
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An inspiring read. So beautifully put together. |
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By: NELS 002
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2023-10-16 09:52:00 |
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Wonderful book - Abbas Nazari will be a man to watch. |
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By: WHANG 033
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2023-10-02 11:23:08 |
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This book expanded our knowledge and understanding of refugees. On reflection we realise that there are parallels close to home, and raising awareness is the precursor to asking themselves, "What can I do about it?" |
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By: DUNED 118
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2023-08-22 10:23:26 |
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Mostly enjoyed. Overall it was considered an important story. Horrified at the risks that people need to make for safety, but proud of the role New Zealand took in enabling the Tampa families settlement. Those who discussed the book together acknowledged that refugees needed to maintain their identity whilst integrating into New Zealand society. A much easier process for children than adults. |
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By: CROMW 005
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2023-08-16 12:15:55 |
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A very interesting read told from a male's point of view. We would've loved to have had a section written by his mother or sisters. |
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By: HAVE 008
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2023-07-19 10:11:14 |
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Great book! Should be compulsory reading in all N.Z. secondary schools. |
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By: MAST 005
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2023-06-22 14:09:46 |
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FANTASTIC! |
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By: QUEEN 008
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2023-05-22 10:23:11 |
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Everyone really enjoyed this. Prompted great discussions. |
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By: AUCK 037
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2023-05-08 11:42:26 |
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The seven members at the meeting were very positive about this book. They enjoyed the setting in Afghanistan, the story of the very difficult journey to N.Z, and then the life in N.Z. for this family of 9 who settled with wonderful support and flourished. A very positive story of refugees developing and contributing in N.Z. |
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By: WHANG 008
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2023-05-03 12:24:54 |
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We were all very happy to have read this book. The style was engaging, and although some of the events were horrific, we had great admiration for Abbas and his family's positive attitudes, determination and humanity. |
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By: CHCH 145
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2023-05-01 14:01:24 |
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Everyone thought it was a wonderful heroic story of the plight of the Tampa survivors written by a young boy, and his amazing achievements. |
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By: GREYT 001
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2023-05-01 11:55:01 |
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Oh my goodness - what an amazing book! We all loved it and were so moved by the story. The plight of increasingly huge numbers of refugees seems insurmountable. Such brave, desperate people deserve any help we can provide. |
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By: OAMAR 005
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2023-04-20 15:01:07 |
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Loved it. Very educational story. |
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By: WELL 213
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2023-03-20 10:18:29 |
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Everyone in our group found this book to be easy to read - it flowed well and used straightforward language - and also enjoyed it, learning more about the international refugee situation as well as the N.Z. experience. |
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By: CHCH 487
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2023-03-08 15:41:11 |
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An important read! The description of the time at sea is particularly enthralling, but the whole story flows beautifully and we all agreed it was a page-turner from beginning to end. Abbas is balanced in his assessment of political and social forces involved in the refugee crisis, but the behaviour of John Howard's government at the time will make your blood boil. Uplifting, inspiring, incredible — After the Tampa puts a Kiwi face on the refugee crisis and asks the reader: What would you do for a chance at a better life? |
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By: CHCH 001
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2023-03-06 12:59:20 |
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Easy to read this amazing story; full of admiration for all the courage, perseverance and preparedness shown by the family as they achieved so much. Although it is a relatively brief journal of the epic journey, it is what is not written but rather sits underneath the story that is the most fascinating. |
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By: AUCK 150
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2023-02-27 11:25:06 |
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This book was loved by all our members and caused much discussion regarding the hardships faced by refugees, firstly by getting out of their troubled countries and then facing day to day difficulties in their chosen new country. |
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By: AUCK 069
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2023-02-27 11:20:27 |
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Overall the group liked this book - gave a good understanding of what happened with the Tampa and led to a good discussion on refugees v. migrants and dirty politics (Australian). We thought the first half was better than the second half. |
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