Alien Nation: 36 True Tales of Immigration

Description

A collection of 36 extraordinary stories originally told on stage, featuring work by writers, entertainers, thinkers, and community leaders. Spanning comedy and tragedy, Alien Nation brilliantly illuminates what it's like to be an immigrant in America. America would not be America without its immigrants. This anthology, adapted from storytelling event "This Alien Nation," captures firsthand the past and present of immigration in all its humor, pain, and weirdness. Contributors-some well-known, others regular (and fascinating) people-share moments from their lives, reminding us that immigration is not just a word dropped in the news (simplified to something you are "for" or "against"), but a world-rich with unique voices, perspectives, and experiences. Travel from the Central Park playground where "tattle-tales" among nannies inspire Christine Lewis's activism to an Alexandrian garden half a century ago courtesy of writer Andre Aciman. Visit a refugee camp in Gaza as described by actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid, and follow Intersex activist Tatenda Ngwaru as she flees Zimbabwe with dreams of meeting Oprah. Witness efforts from comedian Aparna Nancherla's mother to make Aparna less shy, and Orange is the New Black's Laura Gomez makes an unlikely connection in a bed-and-breakfast. Compelling and inspirational, Alien Nation is a celebration of immigration and an exploration of culture shock, isolation and community, loneliness and hope, heartbreak and promise-it's a poignant reminder of our shared humanity at a time we need it greatly, and a thoughtful, entertaining tribute to cultural diversity.

Sofija Stefanovic is the creator and host of This Alien Nation, a celebration of immigration. Her memoir, Miss Ex-Yugoslavia, is a sometimes funny sometimes dark story about being an immigrant kid during the Yugoslavian Wars. She's a regular storyteller with The Moth, and has traveled with their Mainstage, telling personal stories across the country. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, among others.

A moving look at what the American dream means today. -- Publishers Weekly