I Have in My Arms Both Ways: Stories by Ten Immigrant Women

While I am probably not the target audience for this book, I found it an interesting, albeit a bit dated, read. The stories of ten immigrant women (the majority are refugees of some description) who have moved from their homeland to New Zealand. They are all settled in Wellington, NZ's capital city.

The stories concentrate on their homelands, and their upbringing (often going back to their grandparents to set the scene), explain why they wanted (or needed) to leave, how they came to NZ, and then explain the challenges and differences they encountered in New Zealand. They are very honest accounts, perhaps too honest to endear themselves to some New Zealanders, as they are often critical of the differences, and the identify things that have happened to them that they didn't like. While those things are probably all true, there is an element of complaining about small things, while they are obviously infinitely better off than where they came from. Usually they acknowledge themselves that their complaints are outweighed by the benefits of coming to New Zealand and receiving support from the government (most are provided with housing and allowances etc, provided assistance in most matters).

For me the more interesting aspects were the backgrounds, which were as varied as the origins of the women who tell their stories. Kenya/India, Czechoslovakia, Tokelau, Chile, Vietnam, Tonga, Laos, Poland, The Philippines & Iran. They cross over cultural issues, politics, human rights issues, poverty, but also just limitations on education and employment (eg the Polynesian islands).

Three and a half stars, rounded down.