Based on original interviews conducted across three continents, this book relates the experiences of nine Syrian women refugees and their perspectives on a range of subjects. Each narrative reveals a displaced woman’s concept of the self in relation to memory, history, trauma and reconciliation within familial, international and cultural contexts. Their life stories contribute to building bonds and promoting trust between locals and “strangers” who are often defined only by their status as refugees. The book raises critical questions about stereotypes and racism while reminding readers of the shared joys and concerns of womanhood across cultures.

Lifelong student Ozlem Ezer enjoyed her life in several different countries as a scholar, writer, educator, translator, traveler, and activist, serving to contribute to women’s and gender issues, and to record underprivileged lives.

Ozlem Ezer

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 189
Bibliographic Info: glossary, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2019
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7585-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3490-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix
Preface 1
Introduction: Reciprocal Lifelines: Representing Refugee Women 5
1. Rose’s Story: On Names and Disguises 17
2. Lutfia’s Story: Amidst the Personal and the Political Conflicts 36
3. Muzna’s Story: The Cloud That Harbors Heavy Showers 51
4. Sama’s Story: What I Survived Were My ­Eye-Openers 68
5. Emilia’s Story: I Change Every Moment and Am Fine with It 79
6. Zizinia’s Story: Hopes and Doubts in Unlikely Spaces 95
7. Leila’s Story: My Basic Right to Education Became Fatal 111
8. Sara’s Story: De-Bordering of My Life So Far 129
9. Bidaa’s Story: “Read, read and read…⁠” 147
Challenging Closures: An ­Open-Ended Evaluation 162
Glossary 167
Chapter Notes 171
Bibliography 173
Index 175