I'm submitting this review before I've completely finished the book because it's taking me a little longer or get through than I'd hoped - not because it's poorly written or not engaging, but because it is so well written and emotive that I'm really pacing myself through it...rereading and making sure I fully understand issues which I'm ashamed to say I was naive or ignorant to before.

This is an important book - it's one that everyone should read, one that should be shared and debated and shared again over, and over.

*edit, I've now finished the book. It was well written, as unbiased as possible to be when talking about atrocious treatment of humans and is one I will be urging others to read.

*The title: “Anywhere but Here” is taken from graffiti in the refugee camps in Dunkirk

Nicola Kelly who formerly worked for the Press Office of the Home Office, which is institutionally racist, was afraid of becoming disillusioned of the idea of immigration. She left her job in Marsham Street for investigative journalism, working with NGOs and assisting asylum seekers fight persecution and prosecution in the hope to extend their stay in the UK.

Kelly is not a solicitor or an immigration lawyer, nor doesn’t claim to be an expert. (especially with how quickly the legal framework has changed over the past few years) Her hope in this book is to talk about the people and not the politics, or rather the reality behind the rhetoric. From the small boats, to drones in the channel, Rwanda and the racism, corruption and human rights violations within the detention centres.
You don’t have to be a guardian reading, tofu eating wokerati to appreciate this book and to educate yourself on the immigration crisis and to tune out the far-right.

Anywhere But Here came out this week - Apr 3rd. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for this early release copy.

A read for knowing more, knowing better.
The most detailed telling of what we have mostly seen only the surface level of.
A touching expose of the broken asylum system in the UK.
I cannot shake off the feeling of sadness, but also glad to know, for we must.

For those who complain about asylum seekers and often believe only the headlines, this book should be required reading. It is heartbreaking to learn about the injustices and lack of compassion shown to these individuals. Sensationalist headlines are often inaccurate and harmful, not only to asylum seekers but also to those working within the asylum system. This book is deeply moving and lays bare the harsh reality that there is no legal route for the majority of asylum seekers to enter the UK, forcing them to take illegal and often dangerous paths. The situation is complex, unfair, and devastating, and Kelly explains it with great clarity. She sheds light on the scandals within the Home Office and exposes the failures of the broken asylum system.