Britain’s biggest bookseller has made a pledge that it will donate £5 of each copy sold of its book of the month to Oxfam in order to help finance the charity’s work with refugees. Waterstones has chosen The Optician of Lampedusa written by Emma Jane Kirby as its book for November. The book is a work of non-fiction and is about a BBC journalist recounting the story of a migrant rescue effort following the destruction of their boat in the Mediterranean.
Glowing reviews
Reviews for the book have been positively glowing with critics describing it as “ambitious and important” and “a moving and unusual achievement”. The hard-back costs £9.99 of which the book seller will hand over £5 to Oxfam for each copy sold. Waterstones undertook a similar project in 2015 where it raised £1 million for Oxfam’s Syria Crisis Appeal.
Hopes to raise a lot of money
A year later and with the crisis in Syria continuing to escalate, Waterstone hopes it will be able to raise a significant amount of money for Oxfam with the sale of The Optician of Lampedusa. Typically, Waterstone’s says its books of the month sell anywhere between 20 to 30 thousand copies.
“Three years on from the terrible events recounted in The Optician of Lampedusa, the refugee crisis is ongoing as millions are forced to flee conflict, disaster and extreme poverty. In Italy, Oxfam is providing people with accommodation and essentials like clothes and food – as well as health and legal support. The money generously donated by Waterstones to Oxfam from sales of this book will enable us to help many more refugees.” Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said.
Haunting tale
The author of the book Emma Jane Kirby said when the Optician of Lampedusa first recounted his story to her, she was haunted by it. She spent several nights dreaming it was her in his position instead, scrambling in the dark just to survive. She adds that she hopes readers will identify with this ordinary person who sets out on a journey to cross a see with friends and that they stay on board with optician as he seeks to steer his vessel towards the brutal reality that will shock everyone.
