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Into the Suburbs: A Migrant's Story

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( 64 ratings, 16 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Into the Suburbs: A Migrant's Story by Christopher Raja is a poignant memoir that delves into the experiences of migration and adaptation. It chronicles the author's journey from India to suburban Australia during the 1980s, highlighting the cultural challenges and personal growth he encounters along the way. Amidst tales of identity and belonging, the narrative offers a heartfelt exploration of embracing a new homeland while holding onto one's roots.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This compelling memoir may appeal to you if you have an interest in personal stories of migration and adaptation. It offers an insightful perspective on cultural transition and the challenges faced by those moving to unfamiliar environments. Readers who enjoy narratives about identity, belonging, and the search for a home will find this book particularly engaging.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Exploring topical issues of race, class, and migration, Into the Suburbs is an affecting portrait of one family's search for home.

'In Calcutta we were crammed in among crowds, traffic, and pollution. We had visions of breathing fresh, clean air and living in a classless society where everyone was your mate.'

Christopher Raja was eleven years old when his father, David, decided to move the family to Australia in pursuit of the idyllic lifestyle. They brought their hopes and aspirations to a bungalow in Melbourne's outer suburbs. On the surface, the Rajas appeared to be living a 'normal' Australian life.

Throughout his teenage years, Christopher embraces the freedoms of his adopted country, while his father becomes more and more disenchanted. Just as Christopher is settling into university, the family is rocked by a tragic and unexpected loss.

Exploring topical issues of race, class, and migration, Into the Suburbs is an affecting portrait of one family's search for home.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Into the Suburbs: A Migrant's Story by Christopher Raja is praised for its candid, heartfelt narrative, capturing the nuances of the migrant experience. Reviewers commend its evocative depiction of cultural transition and identity struggles, finding it both insightful and moving. The memoir's honest reflection on belonging and adaptation resonates with readers, offering a personal yet universal tale of journey and growth.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780702262968

Publisher: University of Queensland Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 August 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: University of Queensland Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 226.0mm

Weight: 270g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Christopher Raja is an Indian-born Australian author of short stories, essays, a play and a novel. He co-authored the play The First Garden with Natasha Raja, which was performed in botanical gardens throughout Australia and published by Currency Press in 2012. His debut novel, The Burning Elephant, was published in 2015 (Giramondo). It was written with the assistance of an Australia Council New Work grant. Christopher lived in the Northern Territory for 12 years and has been twice shortlisted for its Chief Minister's Book of the Year award. Raja migrated from Calcutta to Melbourne in 1986.

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