This is a first-hand account of a young girl's escape from Iran under Khomeini in the early 80s. The story focuses on Serov's and her family's experiences in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and later with people smugglers to get to Turkey. The book ends with the family's entry to Australia, and this great quote:
'Where do we go?' he asked. He pushed the passports at the immigration officer. Maybe the man had not noticed that they were Iranians. Maybe he had missed the exit stamp from Turkey declaring them as illegals and the refusal stamp from Hong Kong.
The officer took the passports, opened them again, checked the visa and handed them back with a smile.
'Anywhere you like, mate,' he said.
I'm going to give the Australian authorities in the 80s the benefit of the doubt and assume they actually did give them some support and help settling-in. More than a visa and a wave from Sydney airport customs anyway.
I think the saddest thing about this book is that this family could really only make their escape because they were very wealthy. Plenty of middle and lower class families in Iran would have suffered similar hardships during the revolution but lacked the contacts and the cash to turn the people-smuggling wheels.
The book is well-written. The focus is on Serov's experiences so don't expect a lot of historical information or background.
3 stars.
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