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The Optician of Lampedusa
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,751 ratings, 224 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Description
The heartbreaking true story of an ordinary man whose life is changed forever by one of the greatest human tragedies of our time.
I can hardly begin to describe to you what I saw as our boat approached the source of that terrible noise. I hardly want to. You won't understand because you weren't there. You can't understand. You see, I thought I'd heard seagulls screeching. Seagulls fighting over a lucky catch. Birds. Just birds.
The Optician of Lampedusa lives a quiet life with his wife on a remote Mediterranean island. He has seen the headlines about shipwrecked migrants, noticed the reception centre, even crossed paths with the occasional lost soul. Yet it is only when, one sunny October morning, a relaxing boat trip with friends unexpectedly turns into a heartbreaking rescue mission, that he truly comes face to face with the human tragedy unfolding on his doorstep—and on all of our doorsteps.
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?
The Optician of Lampedusa by Emma Jane Kirby is praised for its poignant and gripping narrative, which brings to light the harrowing experiences of migrants and the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary individuals. Reviewers commend the book for its emotive storytelling, highlighting its ability to foster empathy and reflect on humanitarian issues, with the author's journalistic background enriching the descriptive and insightful portrayal of real-life events.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141985220
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 May 2017
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 9.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 125g
Pages: 128
About the Author
Emma-Jane Kirby is a broadcast journalist who has reported extensively on international affairs, from Brussels to Afghanistan. She won the Bayeux-Calvados Award for War Correspondents for her report 'The Optician of Lampedusa', on which this book is based.
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