How to Be a Refugee

Simon May’s How to Be a Refugee explores the complex family history of three Jewish sisters in Nazi Germany, highlighting their varied responses to their heritage—ranging from concealment to conversion and high-profile alliances. The memoir delves into themes of self-deception, belonging, and survival, shaped by May’s own experience of growing up in a context of hidden origins and unresolved secrets. Through this personal narrative, the book examines broader questions of identity and the enduring impact of the past.