Map of Hope and Sorrow: Stories of Refugees Trapped in Greece

‘This book celebrates human resilience and the capacity for hope, serving as a powerful call for tolerance.’ - Observer

‘Heartfelt, eye-opening, timely, essential.’ - Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Helen Benedict, award-winning British-American professor of journalism at Columbia University, teams up with Syrian writer and refugee, Eyad Awwadawnan, to present the stories of five refugees who have endured long and dangerous journeys from the Middle East and Africa to Greece.

Hasan, Asmahan, Evans, Mursal and Calvin each tell their story, tracing the trajectory of their lives from homes and families in Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Cameroon to the brutal refugee camps, where they are trapped in a strange and hostile world.

These are compelling, first-person stories of resilience, suffering and hope, told in a depth rarely seen in non-fiction, partly because one of the authors is a refugee himself, and partly because both authors spent years getting to know the interviewees and winning their trust. The women and men in this book tell their stories in their own words, retaining control and dignity, while revealing intimate and heartfelt scenes from their lives.

‘Simple, powerful stories told in refugees’ own voices. I couldn’t stop reading, hand to mouth, my chest tightening.‘ - Dina Nayari, author of The Ungrateful Refugee

'A treasure-trove of story, of heart, of humanity’s failures and achievements.’ - Kao Kalia Yang, author of The Latehomecomer

‘Map of Hope and Sorrow is not only urgent, it is riveting.’ - Jessica Goudeau, author of After the Last Border