Summary:

"Somewhere in the Unknown World" by Kao Kalia Yang is a poignant collection of refugee stories that highlight the resilience, struggles, and hopes of individuals from around the globe. Through intimate and moving narratives, Yang captures the voices of those who have faced unimaginable hardships and journeys, offering a deeper understanding of the refugee experience and the universal quest for home and belonging.

From “an exceptional storyteller,” Somewhere in the Unknown World is a collection of powerful stories of refugees who have found new lives in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, told by the award-winning author of The Latehomecomer and The Song Poet.

All over this country, there are refugees. But beyond the headlines, few know who they are, how they live, or what they have lost. Although Minnesota is not known for its diversity, the state has welcomed more refugees per capita than any other, from Syria to Bosnia, Thailand to Liberia. Now, with nativism on the rise, Kao Kalia Yang―herself a Hmong refugee―has gathered stories of the stateless who today call the Twin Cities home.

Here are people who found the strength and courage to rebuild after leaving all they hold dear. Awo and her mother, who escaped from Somalia, reunite with her father on the phone every Saturday, across the span of continents and decades. Tommy, born in Minneapolis to refugees from Cambodia, cannot escape the war that his parents carry inside. As Afghani flees the reach of the Taliban, he seeks at every stop what he calls a certificate of his humanity. Mr. Truong brings pho from Vietnam to Frogtown in St. Paul, reviving a crumbling block as well as his own family.

In Yang’s exquisite, necessary telling, these fourteen stories for refugee journeys restore history and humanity to America's strangers and redeem its long tradition of welcome.

Editorial Reviews:

"A heart-wrenching and illuminating collection. Yang brings these refugee stories to life with compassion and insight." - The New York Times

"An essential read that humanizes the refugee crisis. Yang's storytelling is both powerful and deeply moving." - Publishers Weekly

"Yang's work is a testament to the enduring human spirit. These stories are a poignant reminder of the strength and courage found in adversity." - Library Journal

About the Author:

Kao Kalia Yang is an acclaimed Hmong-American writer known for her evocative storytelling and powerful narratives. Her works often focus on themes of displacement, identity, and resilience, drawing from her own experiences as a refugee and those of her community. Yang's writing has garnered numerous awards and recognition for its emotional depth and cultural significance.