Summary
In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, Guardian foreign correspondent Julian Borger tells host Elena Lappin about his book I SEEK A KIND PERSON: MY FATHER, SEVEN CHILDREN AND THE ADVERTS THAT HELPED THEM ESCAPE THE HOLOCAUST. He discusses his family's past and the stories of other children who were also refugees, highlighting the importance of understanding and remembering these narratives. The discussion also touches on the complexities of belonging and the legacy of trauma passed down through generations.
The episode also features the charity SHELTERBOX, an organisation which provides help worldwide to communities in crisis via their book club, the ShelterBox Book Club.
Keywords
Julian Borger, I Seek a Kind Person, Holocaust, children, survivors, refugee stories, family history, trauma, identity, belonging, memoir, investigative journalism
Takeaways
Julian Borger's book is a personal exploration of his father's refugee experience.
The emotional impact of discovering a family advert seeking a foster parent.
The silence surrounding trauma in refugee families is a common experience.
Borger's investigative journalism approach helped uncover hidden family histories.
The importance of kindness in the context of refugee experiences.
Understanding the dual identity of being a refugee and assimilating into a new culture.
The book connects the stories of multiple refugee children from the same era.
Borger reflects on the pressures his father faced as a refugee.
The significance of remembering and honoring those lost in the Holocaust.
The journey of writing the book transformed Borger's understanding of his family.
Titles
Unveiling Family Secrets: Julian Borger's Journey
The Hidden Stories of Refugees: A Conversation with Julian Borger
Sound bites
"The past is never dead, it's not even past."
"I was running away from something."
"I came to see the boy hidden inside the man."
Chapters
00:00 The Journey Begins: Discovering Family History
07:01 Unpacking the Book: Themes and Inspirations
13:49 The Silence of the Past: Understanding Trauma
22:04 Connecting Stories: The Lives of Refugee Children
30:14 The Impact of Secrecy: A Father's Legacy
36:52 Reflections on Identity: Belonging and Displacement
44:05 Transformative Discoveries: Understanding Family Dynamics
50:56 Cultural Connections: The Influence of History on Art
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