Through this portrayal, Fishman aims to foster empathy for migrants and refugees, urging readers to understand the difficult choices they face when fleeing danger.

The novel also depicts the moral complexities and sacrifices involved in survival, as characters navigate deception and difficult decisions.

Structured in three parts, the narrative follows the family's initial escape, their experiences in a refugee camp, and Dina's eventual return to confront her past as an adult.

Fishman draws on a friend's real-life experiences fleeing Iran, capturing the emotional and psychological parallels between their traumas and dreams.

By intentionally omitting specific names of countries and ethnic groups, Fishman emphasizes the universal nature of survival against authoritarian regimes, broadening the story's relevance.

The themes resonate particularly with descendants of those who faced similar choices, prompting reflections on how to honor their sacrifices in the present.

Boris Fishman's novel, 'The Unwanted,' delves into a family's harrowing escape from civil war and totalitarianism, vividly illustrating the grim realities of survival.

The story centers on George, Susanna, and their daughter Dina, who are forced to flee their homeland after George's protected status as a poetry teacher is revoked, placing them in imminent danger.

As they navigate the dangers of their war-torn country, the narrative captures the universal experience of persecution through the eyes of 8-year-old Dina.

Their journey is fraught with betrayal and violence, ultimately leading them to a refugee camp in an unnamed country, where they confront emotional isolation and trauma.

The narrative intricately explores Susanna's internal conflict regarding the horrors they endure and the uncertainty of their asylum process in the United States, complicated by George's past collaboration with the oppressive regime.

Fishman skillfully avoids simplistic portrayals of victimhood, instead crafting nuanced characters like Dina and Susanna, who emerge as resilient fighters rather than mere victims.