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In Limbo: Brexit testimonies from EU citizens in the UK
“One of the most important books of the year – one which severely tests the supposed British traits of stoicism and calm” Charlie Connelly, The New European Imagine you left your native country because you wanted to explore your neighbouring world and embrace the European dream.
Imagine you truly believed the European Union was your home and that, as well as being a citizen of the country you were born in, you were also a citizen of Europe. Imagine you fell deeply in love with your new country. Imagine you built a life there, married, had children, a career, started a business. You felt happy and totally integrated. You were at home... Then one day, your new country decides to vote to leave the European Union and all the rules you have built your life upon are going to change. One morning, after years – or even decades - you suddenly feel unwelcome, unwanted. Betrayed. Your certainties and your security are gone. Your sense of identity. Your whole life. This is what has happened to millions of EU citizens after the Brexit Referendum in June 2016. Through no fault of their own, they are stuck in a painful limbo.
This book of testimonies is their voice. Their stories from Limbo, haunted by the poignant where is home? In Brexit testimonies from EU citizens in the UK is a collection of personal accounts by EU citizens living in Britain which reveals the practical and emotional turmoil they have experienced since the 2016 Referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU. Curated by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, this anthology is a snapshot of this historical period which adds real-life relevance and urgency to the national debate. The collection gives a voice to the three million UK residents who have been depersonalised as a mass of ‘migrants’ and treated as bargaining chips in the surrounding political discourse.
Imagine you truly believed the European Union was your home and that, as well as being a citizen of the country you were born in, you were also a citizen of Europe. Imagine you fell deeply in love with your new country. Imagine you built a life there, married, had children, a career, started a business. You felt happy and totally integrated. You were at home... Then one day, your new country decides to vote to leave the European Union and all the rules you have built your life upon are going to change. One morning, after years – or even decades - you suddenly feel unwelcome, unwanted. Betrayed. Your certainties and your security are gone. Your sense of identity. Your whole life. This is what has happened to millions of EU citizens after the Brexit Referendum in June 2016. Through no fault of their own, they are stuck in a painful limbo.
This book of testimonies is their voice. Their stories from Limbo, haunted by the poignant where is home? In Brexit testimonies from EU citizens in the UK is a collection of personal accounts by EU citizens living in Britain which reveals the practical and emotional turmoil they have experienced since the 2016 Referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU. Curated by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, this anthology is a snapshot of this historical period which adds real-life relevance and urgency to the national debate. The collection gives a voice to the three million UK residents who have been depersonalised as a mass of ‘migrants’ and treated as bargaining chips in the surrounding political discourse.
- GenresNonfiction
244 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 20, 2017
I have had the honour to make a small contribution to this book. It's been put in the very last chapter called "Hope", very much in accordance with my heart's desire. Brexit was, and still is, a personal tragedy to me, but in my contribution I wanted to talk about hope, and about trust that I still have in people.
Nonetheless, having read the other contributors' stories, my trust in the British system is effectively ruined. I did not hold it in high esteem anyway, but, apparently, I was still holding on to a few illusions. Two recent events shattered them completely. One, the fire in Grenfell Tower, and the response of the authorities, or lack thereof. Second, the contents of this book.
Our lives don't matter, it seems.
Nonetheless, having read the other contributors' stories, my trust in the British system is effectively ruined. I did not hold it in high esteem anyway, but, apparently, I was still holding on to a few illusions. Two recent events shattered them completely. One, the fire in Grenfell Tower, and the response of the authorities, or lack thereof. Second, the contents of this book.
Our lives don't matter, it seems.
July 5, 2017
This book made me realize a lot of things that I had no idea about. I looked at Brexit from a completely different perspective - not political, international, but simply human. I came to the conclusion that, while from this geopolitical standpoint, leaving the EU is a suicide shot, pure stupidity, then thinking about human fate turns out to be cruelty and inferiority.
Some say it's just hysterical reactions. But this book shows the very emotional truth, the truth of feelings, which are more real than the bare facts (anyway still unknown).
I am Polish living in my home coutry, but I feel the fears of Poles and other nations living in the British Isles. In our history we experienced such a difficult and shameful time - when in 1968 the Polish Communist Party led to the deportation of thousands of Polish Jews. Theresa May can lead to a similar process on a larger scale, taking into account many nationalities. And it is scary.
Some say it's just hysterical reactions. But this book shows the very emotional truth, the truth of feelings, which are more real than the bare facts (anyway still unknown).
I am Polish living in my home coutry, but I feel the fears of Poles and other nations living in the British Isles. In our history we experienced such a difficult and shameful time - when in 1968 the Polish Communist Party led to the deportation of thousands of Polish Jews. Theresa May can lead to a similar process on a larger scale, taking into account many nationalities. And it is scary.
July 10, 2017
A moving account of what we can only hope is a short period in the lives of innocent people left drifting in limbo as the Brexit world order took shape around them. Given that a year on from that fateful referendum people are still being used as playthings in a political game, this book is an indictment of the people who have had the power to end this uncertainty for a long time, but either didn't have the will, humanity and/or the courage to do so
July 14, 2017
All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us...
As a fellow bargaining chip, these stories spoke to me. I find myself to be actually quite lucky compared to some of the others. I suspect that this book wouldn't do anything to a Brexiteer. Once I've seen someone on Twitter say "aw, diddums" as a response to an EU citizens plight, so not like I expect anything human, or even rational, from them, but hopefully as many of the 48% as possible will read this and start fighting back.
It seems almost every single one of us has been told at some point "don't worry, you'll be fine, Brexit won't affect you, you've been here for ages". How little clue people have got...
This books tells stories of people who have been thrown under a bus--a bus with a referendum slogan that turned out to be a lie.
As a fellow bargaining chip, these stories spoke to me. I find myself to be actually quite lucky compared to some of the others. I suspect that this book wouldn't do anything to a Brexiteer. Once I've seen someone on Twitter say "aw, diddums" as a response to an EU citizens plight, so not like I expect anything human, or even rational, from them, but hopefully as many of the 48% as possible will read this and start fighting back.
It seems almost every single one of us has been told at some point "don't worry, you'll be fine, Brexit won't affect you, you've been here for ages". How little clue people have got...
This books tells stories of people who have been thrown under a bus--a bus with a referendum slogan that turned out to be a lie.
December 13, 2017
A powerful and moving collection of testimonies by EU citizens in the UK affected by Brexit (with a few testimonies by Brits in the EU added at the end) collected by Elena Remigi with the help of Tim Sykes and Veronique Martin.
A very hard read for all those involved and a must read for those who do not know yet the real damage caused by the brexit referendum in 2016. Testimonies written by real people, often anonymously for fear of retaliation in the work place or abuse on social media and in day-to-day life. A labour of love and despair, hopefully a wake-up call for our politicians who think they can play with people's lives as if they were bargaining chips.
A very hard read for all those involved and a must read for those who do not know yet the real damage caused by the brexit referendum in 2016. Testimonies written by real people, often anonymously for fear of retaliation in the work place or abuse on social media and in day-to-day life. A labour of love and despair, hopefully a wake-up call for our politicians who think they can play with people's lives as if they were bargaining chips.
December 6, 2017
Excellent
So many testimonies attesting that, in the end, we all are thinking, worrying and hoping about the same things - we are not alone! Thanks for collecting and sharing these stories.
So many testimonies attesting that, in the end, we all are thinking, worrying and hoping about the same things - we are not alone! Thanks for collecting and sharing these stories.
July 16, 2019
If you think that marrying a brit means EU27 citizens living in the UK are 'safe', or that the Leave vote 'didn't mean my nice neighbour, just the ones we don't want' or that Brexit is not yet causing any real upset, you haven't been listening. Hear the voices of real people. Read this book.
February 27, 2019
My thoughts can be found here:
https://thomasruffles.blogspot.com/20...
https://thomasruffles.blogspot.com/20...
February 19, 2021
As an EU citizen in the UK myself I have experienced the same frustration and anxiety as many people who wrote their stories for this book. I’ve had a little bit easier journey, didn’t have any trouble applying for the settled status and I don’t have elderly parents living here or a partner whose relatives voted for Brexit. It’s so sad to read how badly a referendum driven by nationalism and racism has torn families apart and made the lives of the most vulnerable people even worse than it already was. And all of the stories were written pre-pandemic when people still had their jobs and social life. Brexit is a gift that just keeps taking away everything that ever was great in Britain.
December 12, 2023
Most of the testimonies in the book were relatable, especially regarding uncertainty and casual racism, which I have experienced as an EU citizen living in the UK.
Bearing in mind the book was written in 2017, I did find some of the testimonies overly pessimistic, for instance using the term deportation.
Bearing in mind the book was written in 2017, I did find some of the testimonies overly pessimistic, for instance using the term deportation.
January 8, 2021
So many heartbreaking and moving testimonies which made me so sad and ashamed at our government's actions.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews