Summary

Chapter 8 opens in London. Lucy Fisher tells Nuri and Afra that they have five days to prepare for the interviews, so they should reflect on the facts of their personal journeys and relevant experiences. Hazim helps Diomande prepare for the interview. Hazim worries that Diomande will not be able to meet asylum requirements, as Diomande’s reasons for leaving are related more to economic hardship than personal danger. That night, Nuri has another interaction with Mohammed, but again, it is ambiguous whether this interaction is real or a dream.

The narrative shifts back to Nuri and Afra’s journey. They traveled on a boat to mainland Greece, and they were brought to a refugee camp in Athens. The camp was composed of tents. As Nuri tried to fall asleep, he remembered when he first developed a friendship with Mustafa. Nuri did not want to...