Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Boat People
The Boat People: A Novel | Sharon Bala
75 posts | 43 read | 81 to read
For readers of Khaled Hosseini and Chris Cleave, The Boat People is an extraordinary novel about a group of refugees who survive a perilous ocean voyage only to face the threat of deportation amid accusations of terrorism When a rusty cargo ship carrying Mahindan and five hundred fellow refugees from Sri Lanka's bloody civil war reaches Vancouver's shores, the young father thinks he and his six-year-old son can finally start a new life. Instead, the group is thrown into a detention processing center, with government officials and news headlines speculating that among the "boat people" are members of a separatist militant organization responsible for countless suicide attacksand that these terrorists now pose a threat to Canada's national security. As the refugees become subject to heavy interrogation, Mahindan begins to fear that a desperate act taken in Sri Lanka to fund their escape may now jeopardize his and his son's chance for asylum. Told through the alternating perspectives of Mahindan; his lawyer, Priya, a second-generation Sri Lankan Canadian who reluctantly represents the refugees; and Grace, a third-generation Japanese Canadian adjudicator who must decide Mahindan's fate as evidence mounts against him, The Boat People is a spellbinding and timely novel that provokes a deeply compassionate lens through which to view the current refugee crisis.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Blueberry
post image
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙🧡💙 10mo
Eggs Perfect 💙🧡 10mo
44 likes2 comments
review
llwheeler
post image
Pickpick

BC for #ReadCanada

This was a good book and good audiobook. The political rhetoric made me mad, as I think it was intended to. I appreciated the emphasis on the intergenerational nature of trauma and the way that trauma gets repeated through history. No easy answers here.

blurb
llwheeler
post image

It's been a while since I posted an #audiostitching update. My puffins are coming along!

I'm almost finished the tagged book, which is excellent but is making me mad.

tricours Great puffins! 3y
Cathythoughts Puffins !!! ❤️ 3y
Cazxxx I don‘t know how anyone can stitch whilst doing anything else it takes all of my concentration and I still make mistakes without distractions 😅 3y
See All 6 Comments
llwheeler @tricours thanks! 3y
llwheeler @Cazxxx I don't listen, or I pause, when I'm doing a section I find tricky. But I get you, there are some things that I can't do while listening at all. I just do what works for me 🙂 3y
26 likes6 comments
review
LibraryCin
post image
Pickpick

This was really good. I was really frustrated with Grace for what I felt was relying too much on Fred‘s (the minister‘s) rhetoric. I guess I wanted to believe all of their stories. I wasn‘t as interested in Mahindan‘s background in Sri Lanka – well, some was interesting, but I did lose a bit of focus when talking about his courtship to his son‘s mother. I really had no idea how it would end, and yet I was still surprised.

review
amyf0x
post image
Pickpick

When a boat carrying 500 refugees from Sri Lanka finally gets to British Columbia after a perilous few months at sea, Mahindan realizes his long journey through the Canadian courts to give his young son a better life is just beginning.

Read February 23-27
Rated 3.5/5 ⭐️
Book 13/60
(Bahamas beach pic because it‘s where I read this book)

review
melissajayne
post image
Pickpick

Really enjoyed the book. There were times I felt it was a little slow, but definitely an engrossing read. 4 1/2 ⭐️ #2019 #bookreview #bookstagram #canadareads #canada #fiction

blurb
melissajayne
post image

Am finding the book emotionally draining. I really liking it, but it just takes so much out of me when I read it. The novel is based on actual events that happened with Sri Lankan refugees the summer of 2009 that came to BC. Just so much relevance to what is happening at the southern border in the US. Wish this f—-ing nightmare would end. #bookclubread

Libby1 Take breaks if you need to. It can be quite difficult to read about things like this ❤️. 5y
sprainedbrain Ugh. ❤️ 5y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Pickpick

A cargo ship bearing 500 Sri Lankan refugees is intercepted in Vancouver and those aboard taken into detention. The Boat People then follows the story of one refugee as well as those both trying to help him and those allowing their fear and/or xenophobia to fight against anyone gaining admission. Topical and very well done, plus the audio reader is phenomenal.

Tamra This has been TBR for quite awhile. I need to bump it up! 5y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Bookwormjillk
post image
Pickpick

This was a timely and relevant book. Highly recommend for anyone interested in issues facing refugees coming to the US and Canada. (One note: the lack of quotation marks was distracting, but I was able to get past it because the story was good.)

42 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Bookwormjillk
post image

Catching up on reading while the kids try the waterside.

review
RaimeyGallant
post image
Pickpick

Based on when 492 Sri Lankan refugees arrived in Vancouver in 2010, at a time when Canada's right-wing party was in power. From the perspectives of a Tamil refugee, his lawyer, and the adjudicator tasked with approving or rejecting his refugee status, this story made me think hard about how bendable my morality could become if I needed to protect my family during wartime. P.S. This was a Canada Reads 2018 contender, so it's kind of a big deal.

jlondon1963 I think this was also recommended on Modern Mrs Darcy What Should I Read Next. 📚📚 5y
RaimeyGallant @jlondon1963 I'll check that out. 5y
Hooked_on_books Oh, excellent. I just picked this one up on audio and now I remember why I wanted to read it! 5y
sss7 Hi 4y
sss7 Hello 4y
136 likes7 stack adds5 comments
blurb
RaimeyGallant
post image

I can't stop crying! I remember being disgusted about these detentions, but I also remember feeling helpless to do anything about it. I should have at least tried...

lover.of.the.classics Hey, do you know if there is a way to sell books on here? 5y
RaimeyGallant @lover.of.the.classics There isn't any direct way to do that. :) 5y
Scochrane26 I‘ve never heard of this, will have to check it out. 5y
lover.of.the.classics @RaimeyGallant Okay, thank you though. 5y
TheAromaofBooks That cover is beautiful!! 5y
105 likes9 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image

This book reminded me of this quote!

Cathythoughts 👍🏻♥️💔 6y
41 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Bibliogeekery
post image
Pickpick

This was such a powerful and well written book. A boat of Sri Lankan refugees appears near Vancouver and Sharon Bala takes us through the narratives of some of the refugees, the immigration lawyers representing them, and the adjudicator. She skillfully portrays the complexity of Sri Lanka and create nuanced, intersectional characters. This book provides such important humanity and insight into the plight of refugees. Highly recommend!

47 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image

Next up!

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Wow - looks good - stacked! 6y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
post image

Ok, so I went through my books and picked these 4 to choose from. 3 of the four were featured on Canada Reads, so that bodes well I think. Let me know if you've read any of them already. 😊🇨🇦

@ShelleyBooksie @Tianarose @TheKidUpstairs

#LMPBC #GroupU #TeamCanada #ReadTheNorth #CanadianAuthors #OhCanada #CanadaReads

ShelleyBooksie I haven't read any and they all sound good. North of Normal really stands out to me 6y
TheKidUpstairs Haven't read any of these, but they all look great! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Ok. So I assume we mail in the order that was sent in the email? @TheKidUpstairs ➡️ @Tianarose ➡️ @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego ➡️ @ShelleyBooksie ➡️ @TheKidUpstairs 6y
See All 8 Comments
Tianarose That definitely makes the most sense. 6y
TheKidUpstairs @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego yes, I think that makes the most sense! 6y
ShelleyBooksie So I would send to @TheKidUpstairs first? 6y
ShelleyBooksie I just realized you wrote that in a comment above - duh 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @ShelleyBooksie Yup! You always will mail to Megan. 6y
107 likes8 comments
blurb
Tamra
post image

Many beautiful choices! Thank you @That-Bookish-Hiker

Johanna414 I got mine today too! 6y
Tamra @Johanna414 👏🏾 6y
Tanisha_A These are 👌! 6y
That-Bookish-Hiker You‘re welcome! Thank you for your support and glad you like them. 😊 (edited) 6y
95 likes4 comments
blurb
Blueberry
post image

These characters provided a lot of heated discussion in f2f book club last night.

Tamra This is STILL TBR for me. 6y
Cinfhen Me too @Tamra 6y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
xicanti
post image
Pickpick

This was excellent. Bala dives deep inside current events from a refugee's perspective, a lawyer's, and an adjudicator's. As the story unfolds along dual timelines, the reader's take on each character shifts, as do the characters' own attitudes towards their situation.

Everyone's well drawn, but I keep coming back to Grace, the new adjudicator who honestly believes she's doing the right thing even as the reader can see how oblivious she is ⬇️

xicanti to her own privilege, and how her unwillingness to so much as think about her own Japanese-Canadian family's internment during WWII impacts her work and her personal relationships alike. She's a hell of a character because she stands in for a LOT of anti-refugee types. I hope she gets readers thinking. 6y
xicanti One caveat: I loved this, but I also listened to it. From the excerpts people have posted, I see Bala doesn't use quotation marks around dialogue. That might very well have fouled my opinion if I'd read it with my eyes. 6y
gradcat Good review...very informative! 6y
32 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
xicanti
post image

I carved pumpkin #2--a haunted house--while I finished THE BOAT PEOPLE. It was the first Canada Reads selection eliminated this year. It's also my favourite so far, with only PRECIOUS CARGO to go. Dammit, panelists, are you always gonna ditch the best book first, or are the last two years a weird coincidence? #audiocarving

Eyelit Cool pumpkin carving! 6y
xicanti @Eyelit thank you! 6y
37 likes2 comments
blurb
xicanti
post image

My first pumpkin's done! I've got a flameless Christmas candle in it right now, but it distorts the shape of the hand a bit so I'll switch to tea lights when the pumpkin makes its formal debut. #audiocarving

candority That looks awesome! 6y
xicanti @candority thanks! I made the pattern from an image on a pizza as. 6y
alisiakae I love it! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Crazeedi Wow, spooky! 6y
MemoirsForMe So cool! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Eyelit Excellence!! 6y
40 likes7 comments
blurb
xicanti
post image

I baked my first gluten-free cakes today! My mum volunteered me to do my grandma's trifle for her family's Christmas party, and I want to make sure my cousins with Celiac disease can have some too. It was a bit more finicky than my usual bakes since I took extra care with all the utensils--I do NOT want anybody to get sick from a bit of wheat flour that drifted into a spoon or whatnot--but the sponges turned out well! Hurray! #audiobaking

squirrelbrain They look lovely! 6y
44 likes1 comment
review
suvata
post image
Pickpick

This book made my heart ache. It is a twist on immigration stories that I‘ve read so far. Rather than Mexican Immigration in The United States, it deals with Sri Lankan Immigration in Canada. I many ways it‘s the same story. It also addressed the history of Japanese Immigration in the 1930-40‘s. I have so many mixed emotions about this subject because I can understand both sides of the story.

Mental note: Must read a light and happy book next!

68 likes2 stack adds
blurb
suvata
post image

With this book I will complete the 2018 Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/summer-reading-guide-2018/

See All 12 Comments
robinb Congratulations! 🎉 6y
suvata @erzascarletbookgasm @robinb It‘s been so much fun! 6y
Simona Congrats 👏👏👏👍 6y
suvata @Simona Thank you 6y
BridgetteM Wow! That‘s quite an accomplishment! 6y
suvata @BridgetteM I enjoyed most all of them as well. 6y
Laura317 What‘s been your favorite so far? @suvata 6y
suvata @Laura317 There were so many good ones. I definitely recommend 6y
61 likes12 comments
blurb
EMWF
post image

"People who forget the wrongs that were done to them perpetuate those same wrongs on others." Sharon Bala will be at #emwf18 to read from her timely novel that provides a deeply compassionate lens through which to view the current refugee crisis. bit.ly/2ItLkU4 @PenguinRandomCa #canlit #canadareads

quote
candority
post image

This book is very relevant to our current world. I‘m about 60% of the way through, and while I‘m not riveted by any means, I do think it is important.

RachLovesTV I complete agree about its current relevance! This was actually my pre-debate pick to win Canada Reads this year - I was so shocked when it was eliminated early. 6y
candority @RachLovesTV It was eliminated first right? I didn‘t follow it to closely this year, but was it just not well defended? (edited) 6y
82 likes2 comments
blurb
EMWF
post image

We are thrilled to announce our 2018 Author Lineup! On September 8, Jann Arden will be at the University of Guelph to discuss her life and memoirs, while Sheila Heti and Craig Davidson will be hosting writing workshops at the Delta Hotel in Guelph. On September 9, join us in Eden Mills, ON to listen to and meet over 40 Canadian authors for adults, YA and children. Visit www.emwf.ca for more information! #canlit #emwf18

rather_be_reading welcome to litsy!! 📚🎉📚 @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
RaimeyGallant I wish I could fit this in my budget. And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. 6y
Chelleo Welcome! 6y
See All 13 Comments
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻😊 6y
EMWF Thank you @RaimeyGallant! Advanced tickets are only $20 online! 6y
RaimeyGallant It's the flight and hotel I'm more worried about. 6y
EMWF @RaimeyGallant Oh, very true. Those add up quickly 😔 6y
TK-421 Welcome to Litsy! 6y
EMWF Thank you @TK-421! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 6y
Wife Welcome to Litsy!🌹 6y
32 likes13 comments
review
Lauren.Archer
Pickpick

This book was a slow burn, but so very worth it. This is fiction, but the events are true, which makes story so much more. It is sad to see not only the U.S. has immigration issues.

mrozzz Good I‘m looking forward to it 👌🏻 7y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Lauren.Archer
post image

Starting Modern Mrs. Darcy‘s summer reading guide picks. This is the first one chronologically. Looks amazing

suvata #MMD Summer reading list looks amazing. I‘ve only read two of the books on it already. They all look so good, I don‘t know where to start. 7y
82 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Blueberry
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

#Canadareads Second book voted off. The partcipants are fierce this year!

blurb
xicanti
post image

It's Canada Reads time! I, um, didn't read any of the books this year, but after yesterday I've got a much better idea of which ones I wanna check out when the library wait lists go down.

CouronneDhiver I‘m not sure if I‘ll finish any of them... as soon as I put pressure on myself to do the “required” reading, it loses appeal. 😂 7y
xicanti @CouronneDhiver I was in a total assigned reading mood last year, so I read all the books except COMPANY TOWN. (I was out of the province during the lead-up and my library didn't have that one digitally.) I was in a different mood this year, so I took a small stab at the long list but only managed to read SEVEN FALLEN FEATHERS. Which, of course, didn't make it into the final five. 7y
45 likes2 comments
blurb
Blueberry
post image

First book voted off #CanadaReads. I was surprised.

CouronneDhiver Interesting! What do you think of this development @BookishTrish ? 7y
LeahBergen I thought that American War or Precious Cargo would be the first to be voted off. 7y
See All 10 Comments
BookishTrish I‘ll have to hear the debates 7y
Blueberry @BookishTrish do you want me to hold off posting any updates until you've seen the debates? 7y
BookishTrish I listen to them as podcasts on my way to work so I‘m a day behind. Can you mark your posts with spoilers for me? 😘 7y
BookishTrish Also SHOCKED by the Day zone results 7y
Blueberry @BookishTrish Will do. I'm sorry I spoiled the first one for you. I should have been more thoughtful. 7y
BookishTrish It‘s all good @Blueberry I‘ve seen day two now and the results were more expected! 7y
48 likes10 comments
review
Shay
post image
Pickpick

Today, The Boat People was the first book eliminated from #CanadaReads 2018. Despite getting off to a rough start with this title due to some stylistic choices, I ended up really liking this book thanks to the characters. Highly recommended provided you are okay with an open ended conclusion. Full review and recap on my blog: goo.gl/1pj1JK

review
reneelyons
post image
Mehso-so

In our divided political climate, books like this are important. Bala questions the immigration process and asks tough questions of both her readers and her characters. A valuable Canada Reads contender.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/book-review-the-boat-people-by-...

25 likes2 stack adds
review
RachLovesTV
post image
Pickpick

Wow, what an emotional, impactful book. This is my new pick to win #CanadaReads this year. The story of Mahindan and the other refugees is so heart-wrenching, their lives in Sri Lanka and reception in Canada so miserable, it's not hard to say, "Wow, what if that was me?" and "That COULD be me." And not just in a "my family could have gone through that" sense, but in a "what wouldn't I do to protect my family?" sense.

???? (cont)

RachLovesTV Morality goes out the window when it's pitted against survival. As for the treatment of refugees, I'd rather err on the side of compassion and forgiveness, not on the side of fear and contempt. No one would leave behind everything unless their lives were truly at stake. 7y
RachLovesTV By the way, normally I try to edit down my review to fit into Litsy's character limit, but this one was it's too hard. You should see my full Goodreads review (when I get around to posting it this week). 😂 (edited) 7y
thereadingowlvina Great review 😊 7y
40 likes1 stack add3 comments
quote
RachLovesTV
post image

They took it for granted that they deserved to be here more than us. Entitlement closed their hearts.

blurb
StefannieKuhn
post image

Thought I‘d jump in on the last week of #MarchinBooks! Book of the day at my library is The Boat People, which has been on my radar quite recently. “The Boat People is an extraordinary novel about a group of refugees who survive a perilous ocean voyage only to face the threat of deportation amid accusations of terrorism...” Can‘t wait to get my hands on it! #BorrowedBooks #March24 @maich

mabell Welcome! 🎉 7y
StefannieKuhn @mabell Thank you! 7y
11 likes2 comments
blurb
RachLovesTV
post image

Took a reading break after a long work meeting today to make some progress in this one for #CanadaReads. It's super relevant considering the state of immigration affairs in the US (and Canada also, apparently) right now.

I'm about 25% through and my heart is just breaking for these people. Am I supposed to feel so far on one side of the debate? The government so far is making me really angry, and I want to grab a few characters and shake them.

JoScho Lovely photo 💕 7y
RachLovesTV @JoScho Thanks! ☺️ 7y
37 likes2 comments
blurb
Shay
post image

Getting to work on the #CanadaReads short list.

7 likes1 stack add
blurb
PictureandBook
post image

Churned through scores of romances when I got the flu this weekend thanks to my sick kids. Now that my body doesn‘t ache, I‘m switching gears. That said teen romances are ideal for when you are sick. I am sort of new to the genre. Will need to store up names for the next plague.

review
Bookish.SAM
post image
Pickpick

The Boat People!! A #CanadaReads pick... I was a little hesitant when I opened this one up. I wasn‘t really feeling ready for the heavy content, but I REALLY ended up liking it and was thoroughly engrossed. Based on a true story where a large group of Sri Lankan refugees showed up via ships on the coast of BC in 2009/2010, this really put a face to how grueling the refugee experience can be. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening. So good!

56 likes2 stack adds
blurb
BookishTrish
post image

Finished the last of the #Canadareads shortlist today. Depending on the arguments I predict American War or Precious Cargo go first, followed by Forgiveness. I think the real battle is between The Marrow Thieves and The Boat People. I found the former more inventive and hopeful, but as the child of a refugee the latter stole my heart (and several nights sleep)

CouronneDhiver Wow! I‘ve only started one. Lol 7y
Blueberry I finally found Forgiveness without buying it. It's being sent by interlibrary loan. 7y
See All 8 Comments
CouronneDhiver American War - I‘ve had it, and two of the others, on hold at the library for ages! Did you get some sleep tonight? 7y
BookishTrish @CouronneDhiver 6 hours! A clear improvement! How about you? 7y
JacqMac For me, it‘s between Marrow Thieves and Forgiveness. I think Marrow Thieves will win, but I loved Forgiveness. 7y
BookishTrish @JacqMac What did you love about it? 7y
JacqMac @BookishTrish It touched me deeper than the others. I think it was the way both grandparents had a real reason to be full of hatred towards the other. But they weren‘t. And because of the way they forgave, it all came full circle and the author was able to exist. And able to forgive his mom. 7y
60 likes2 stack adds8 comments
blurb
BookishTrish
post image

Another stunning job, Mother Nature #audiowalk

Cathythoughts Oh my ! That‘s so beautiful 😍 7y
79 likes2 comments
blurb
BookishTrish
post image

This morning's post-insomnia commute is made bearable by my husband who made coffee for the road #audiobus ❤️

callunakeep LOVE that mug!!!🤓 7y
CouronneDhiver I‘ve been having a rough sleeping time this week too... 😴😴😴 7y
65 likes2 comments
blurb
BookishTrish
post image
PurpleyPumpkin Love your hashtag #Canadareadsafterdark! I‘m sure I‘ll be using this at some point. Even though I‘ll be wishing I was sleeping. Hope you can get some rest. 😴 7y
FantasyChick This is me every night....for the last several months. Insomnia sucks 😔 7y
FantasyChick Also...it looks like there's a monster in there with you. Freaked me out at first lol 7y
69 likes3 comments
review
dixi_e
post image
Pickpick

THIS book is .... everything. And everyone must read it. It‘s so well written and it deals beautifully with serious issues of our time (and of our past). THIS book is why we read, to truly see new perspectives and to question ourselves and our worlds. I cannot say enough about this book. And the audiobook is unerring in its character portrayal and story telling. Read it. Please.

dixi_e @CouronneDhiver This is the one that should win (although The Marrow Thieves is also brilliant). 7y
BookishTrish Wow! Live your enthusiasm! 7y
16 likes2 stack adds3 comments