The Ungrateful Foreigner

In her autobiographically inspired novel, Irena Brežná navigates the turbulent waters of adapting to a new culture where personal identity collides with an foreign mentality. Brežná explores this clash between her Slovak roots and Swiss national identity with light-heartedness and a hint of irony. The protagonist initially attempts to protect what remains of her “self” by erecting impenetrable barriers against the unfamiliar culture. Yet, her inherent openness and sensitivity lead to a continuous reevaluation of her stance. At its heart, the novel is a journey of choice, a testament to the cultivation of intercultural skills, the deliberate shaping of one's character, and the scrutiny of long-held beliefs. The friction with her new homeland serves as a catalyzer for deeper thought and personal transformation. As Brežná herself suggests, this slim novel distills a lifetime of personal experiences and scholarly engagement with migration, alongside her work as an interpreter for immigrants. It's an intimate delve into a theme that mirrors the universal experiences and internal struggles of migrants around the globe.