REVIEWS

“If you are torn between living in SA and leaving for supposedly greener pastures, or want to understand why some of your friends and family have left or are thinking of leaving, or if you have emigrated and are struggling with the move, then this is the book for you” – Joburg.co.za

“Regardless of where you stand on the emigration debate, the editor makes it clear: This is “neither a pro-South Africa book nor an anti-South Africa book”. What makes this collection so unexpectedly enjoyable is its highly personal nature. From Andre Brink’s impassioned stand of commitment after his nephew’s senseless murder and Jacob Dlamini’s amusing yet sobering recollection of road-rage to Sarah Britten’s confessional ‘How Not to Emigrate’, the contributors consider the book’s key question from all angles. But they only speak for themselves: While one parent decides to be near ‘her people’ in New Zealand (Kerry Rogers), another chooses familiarity for his unborn child (James Carolin). The themes of patriotism and purpose, transnationalism and homesickness will force you to listen to your own head and heart" – Deidre Donnelly, O Magazine

“Thought-provoking… We learn of the back-and-forth tug-of-love between "stay" (or return) and “go”. Also well-handled is the psychological imperative to justify decisions through reinforcement rather than questioning” – James Mitchell, The Star

“Although this book consists of stand-alone essays, I couldn’t put it down until I’d read them all. What they have in common is a freshness and honesty and excellent writing, much of it by previously-published authors and journalists.There’s a wide range of viewpoints, experiences and countries and none of the defensiveness about choices made that so often marks conversations on this topic. I read Andre Brink’s contribution, And Yet I Wish To Stay, first and would have bought it on the strength of that” – Bronwen Muller, Idasa (Institute for Democracy in South Africa)

“[The book] has a special resonance. The stories are always riveting, always compelling, sometimes infuriating” – Alex Mathews, Thought Leader (click here for the full review)