The war may be over, but the fight to belong is just the beginning.
Left homeless, starving, and almost killed by the Second World War, the Saforo family are refugees fleeing Italy for a better life. The shores of Australia are calling to them and they head off, packing dreams of jobs, a home and… soccer.
But from the moment they get off the boat, adapting to the Australian way of life is harder than it seems. Their family doesn’t speak right, eat right or even look right. As they struggle to build a simple life against the backdrop of 1950s’ racism, they start to wonder if they will be outsiders forever.
A true family affair, Wanderers No More will make you laugh, remind you of your family, and warm your heart.
To follow the blog tour and read reviews, please visit Michelle Saftich's page on Italy Book Tours.
This book is based on a real family making it all the more heart wrenching and compelling. It’s the story of family, courage and strength in times when there really is no other option. Definitely two books I highly recommend.
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Adult Fiction, 290 pages
Historical Fiction
Odyssey Books
Release date: August 2017
Tour dates: Oct 23 to Nov 3, 2017
Content Rating: PG (Very little bad language (if any), kissing, references to sex but nothing actual or explicit, some violence in the way of school bullying - no major adult themes like abortion or suicide etc.)
****
Wanderers No More continues right where Port of No Return ends. Though it can work as a standalone I recommend reading the previous book, you will glean a better understanding of what this family endured and how they have made their way to Australia.
When I finish Port of No Return I was anxious to read more, I had grown to care about this family and was genuinely curious to read more about them. It isn’t an easy adjustment for this Italian family, to arrive in a foreign country only holding each others hands. The war separated this family, reunited them and tore them from their home and now they travel thousands and thousands of miles to begin anew. Not only has the war changed them but in this new land they are different, they look different, they talk different and their customs are different from those around. The author doesn’t hold back with the struggles they endured to begin a new life. It isn’t easy for the parents who want the best for their family and it isn’t for easy for the kids either. Going to school and not knowing the language and for some accepting them is a conscious choice to help or not. Sometimes struggles within your own circle is the hardest to deal with.
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Michelle Saftich resides in Brisbane, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Business/Communications Degree, majoring in journalism, from the Queensland University of Technology.
For the past 20 years, she has worked in communications, including print journalism, sub-editing, communications management and media relations.
Born and raised in Brisbane, she spent 10 years living in Sydney; and two years in Osaka, Japan, where she taught English.
Her historical fiction novel, Port of No Return, was inspired by a true family story. It was published by Australian independent publishing house, Odyssey Books in 2015. Its sequel, Wanderers No More was released in August 2017. Michelle is married with two children.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
For the past 20 years, she has worked in communications, including print journalism, sub-editing, communications management and media relations.
Born and raised in Brisbane, she spent 10 years living in Sydney; and two years in Osaka, Japan, where she taught English.
Her historical fiction novel, Port of No Return, was inspired by a true family story. It was published by Australian independent publishing house, Odyssey Books in 2015. Its sequel, Wanderers No More was released in August 2017. Michelle is married with two children.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
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Thank you for your beautiful review and recommending my novels. I loved your reference about the struggles in your own circle being some of the hardest. So true. Best regards.
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