The Thankless Foreigner

The Thankless Foreigner is a novel that explores the immigration experience and the need for resistance to blind assimilation in a host country. The protagonist, a young person who flees her country and ends up in Switzerland, rebels against the host country's insistence on her following its rules. However, as an interpreter, she meets many others who have ended up here, and gradually learns to experience the richness of exile and foreignness and build bridges between cultures. The novel is a brilliant addition to the literature of immigrant experience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

In 1968, a young individual embarks on a journey in search of a better world, leaving her homeland behind and arriving in the picturesque land of Switzerland. The locals, known for their love of hard cheese, advise her to refrain from speaking nonsense or "talking cheese," as it is locally known. While she finds her new surroundings unfamiliar and somewhat cold, she is reminded that home is where one can express discontent, but in this foreign land, gratitude is paramount. However, she cannot help but rebel against the host country that imposes its rules upon her, yearning to be true to herself. Through her work as an interpreter, she encounters a diverse group of individuals who have also found themselves in Switzerland. These individuals include petty criminals, those grappling with depression, hustlers, refugees, and victims of exploitation. What unites them is a shared hope that they can create a new life for themselves in this unfamiliar land.

Gradually, the young woman begins to embrace the richness of exile and foreignness, forging connections between different cultures. She delves into the complexities of identity, navigating the delicate balance between assimilation and resistance. Irena Brežnás' novel, The Thankless Foreigner, stands as a remarkable contribution to the rich literature on immigrant experiences. Through its poignant portrayal of a young woman's journey, it sheds light on the complexities of navigating a new world while holding onto one's cultural roots. The book encourages readers to reflect on the importance of individuality, the value of diversity, and the power of cross-cultural understanding.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 275 x 194 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803090818