EBOOK
About
Assembled from testimonials and interviews with current and former asylum seekers in France, as well as hearing records, administrative letters, and newspaper articles, Papers is a quietly monumental work of documentary art, a harrowing and enlightening portrayal of the modern refugee experience. Gathered here are the voices of men and women from around the world, united by the urgent need to leave their native country, risk their lives to make it to Europe, and begin the often bewildering process of securing the papers that will affirm their right to stay. Related without melodrama or self-pity, these are stories about the absurdity of bureaucracy, the agony of waiting, the pain of leaving everything behind and the courage to do so anyway. They are a testament to the brutal indignities of war and corruption and exile, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of it all. A fearless, candid, compassionate book for our troubled global times. Violaine Schwartz is a French novelist, playwright, singer, and stage actor. Her novel Le Vent dans la bouche was awarded the 2013 Prix Eugène Dabit du Roman Populiste. In addition to writing and performing, she leads writing workshops in a variety of settings.
Christine Gutman is a Paris-based translator. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Papers is her debut literary translation.
Violaine Schwartz is a French novelist, playwright, singer and stage actor. Her novel Le Vent dans la bouche (Éditions P.O.L) was awarded the 2013 Prix Eugène Dabit du Roman Populiste. In addition to writing and performing, she leads writing workshops in a variety of settings.
Christine Gutman is a Paris-based translator. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Papers is her first published literary translation.
It took me six months to get to Paris.
I passed through all the countries along the way.
First I stayed for a few months in Iran.
Then I went to Turkey, to Istanbul.
In each country, I had to give money to cross the border.
Then I took a boat to Greece.
It's extremely dangerous, the current is very strong.
But you have to choose:
Stay where you are and suffer.
Or go to another country but maybe die on the way.
Maybe fall into the water.
You have to decide.
Yes or no.
I decided to take the risk. Papers is a harrowing and enlightening portrayal of the modern refugee experience. Gathered here are the voices of asylum seekers from around the world who have risked their lives to make it to France and begun the often bewildering process of securing the right to stay. Related without melodrama or self-pity, their stories reflect the absurdity of bureaucracy, the agony of waiting, and the courageousness of leaving everything for an uncertain future. They are a testament to the brutality of war and corruption, an interrogation of the responsibility of citizens and nations, and a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.
Stunning-a masterful work of poetry and storytelling and a much-needed addition to the literature of displacement. Papers turned my most familiar narrative into breathtaking new art. I was utterly absorbed by the beauty and truth in these pages.
- Dina Nayeri, author of The Ungrateful Refugee
I can hardly imagine a book more urgent and riveting, that speaks more to where we are today and to where we're headed, than this devastating collage of voices from France's refugees. It's also wildly creative, a project born of passion and love. Absolutely crucial reading.
- Deb Olin Unferth, author of Barn 8
Papers, one of the most extraordinary books I've ever read, is both a literary feat and an example of profound empathy. In their own words, we hear from the individuals whose stories are too often lost behind the vicious and inane labyrinth of the bureaucracies charged with handling "immigration policy." We a
Christine Gutman is a Paris-based translator. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Papers is her debut literary translation.
Violaine Schwartz is a French novelist, playwright, singer and stage actor. Her novel Le Vent dans la bouche (Éditions P.O.L) was awarded the 2013 Prix Eugène Dabit du Roman Populiste. In addition to writing and performing, she leads writing workshops in a variety of settings.
Christine Gutman is a Paris-based translator. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Papers is her first published literary translation.
It took me six months to get to Paris.
I passed through all the countries along the way.
First I stayed for a few months in Iran.
Then I went to Turkey, to Istanbul.
In each country, I had to give money to cross the border.
Then I took a boat to Greece.
It's extremely dangerous, the current is very strong.
But you have to choose:
Stay where you are and suffer.
Or go to another country but maybe die on the way.
Maybe fall into the water.
You have to decide.
Yes or no.
I decided to take the risk. Papers is a harrowing and enlightening portrayal of the modern refugee experience. Gathered here are the voices of asylum seekers from around the world who have risked their lives to make it to France and begun the often bewildering process of securing the right to stay. Related without melodrama or self-pity, their stories reflect the absurdity of bureaucracy, the agony of waiting, and the courageousness of leaving everything for an uncertain future. They are a testament to the brutality of war and corruption, an interrogation of the responsibility of citizens and nations, and a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.
Stunning-a masterful work of poetry and storytelling and a much-needed addition to the literature of displacement. Papers turned my most familiar narrative into breathtaking new art. I was utterly absorbed by the beauty and truth in these pages.
- Dina Nayeri, author of The Ungrateful Refugee
I can hardly imagine a book more urgent and riveting, that speaks more to where we are today and to where we're headed, than this devastating collage of voices from France's refugees. It's also wildly creative, a project born of passion and love. Absolutely crucial reading.
- Deb Olin Unferth, author of Barn 8
Papers, one of the most extraordinary books I've ever read, is both a literary feat and an example of profound empathy. In their own words, we hear from the individuals whose stories are too often lost behind the vicious and inane labyrinth of the bureaucracies charged with handling "immigration policy." We a