The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir by Anh Do

Rating: 5 out of 5
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Allen & Unwin; 1st edition (2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1742372384
ISBN-13: 978-1742372389
ASIN: B005X3W8TA

Anh Do is a beloved Australian comeedian who happens to be a refugee and a "boat person". This memoir is Anh's and his families story; from life in Vietnam, their journey in a leaky boat as refugee's, and their life in Australia as migrant family.

Anh is an amazing story teller. He can discuss very tough and sensitive topics and still find the humouros or positive side to the story. The whole book is filled with warmth and the love he clearly feels for his family and adopted homeland.

There are a lot of sad stories like his families trip on the boat from Vietnam, racism, or his father alcoholism. He doesn't shy away from the sad topics either. But he doesn't dwell on them and he tells turns the stories into positive things (like a pirate taking pity on them and throwing them a gallon of water). While most people would focus on the negatives Anh Do focuses on the positives that came from the sadness.

One thing I took away from this book is just what an amazing person Anh Doh is. That despite some incredible hardships he (and his family) can still be positive and retain their sense of humour. Their family has done well for themselves but only after incredible hardship, and hard work.

This is a must read if you want an insight into what life can be like as a migrant and particularly what the refugees have to go through.

Even if you are not interested in life as a migrant or a refugee this really is an excellent book and I have to say this is easily one of my best reads for 2012 and HIGHLY recommend it!

Extras
2 Youtube videos for you to view. The first one is an interview about his book and the second is a skit he did on an Aussie tv show.

Here is an interview of Ahn discussing his book (there are some spoilers he discusses some of the stories he tells in the book, but also expands on some of them)

Another video of an appearance he made on the Aussie show "Thank God You're Here" no spoilers here just comedy.