The Ungrateful Refugee

The Ungrateful Refugee, by Dina Nayeri

34/60 | Started 07.16.25 • Finished 07.25.25 | 4 stars

Upon seeing that a friend had read this book, and noticing the last name Nayeri (yes, related to the wonderful Daniel Nayeri of Everything Sad is Untrue fame), I quickly picked it up. It includes stories of mostly Middle Eastern refugees, both their escapes and their difficulties or successes in obtaining asylum, as well as Dina's own refugee story. There is also a lot of commentary on the refugee crisis, mainly in Europe, and the many unsuccessful asylum requests. I felt like it got a little political at times, though her first hand accounts lend credence to her take on the whole situation. Her writing is winsome yet provocative. I found myself wishing for more refugee stories to go along with her analysis, though many of the ones she tells are heart wrenching. Would recommend with a tiny grain of salt.