Migrantik

Tony is a Filipino who never wanted to leave home, yet he has ended up in Australia like millions of his countrymen spread across the world, sending wages back to relatives. Unlike many migrants, he stands up for himself at work and feels no dread about his visa. He sleeps in the office alongside an Irish colleague to cut costs, earning a living as a web designer while clashing with a demanding Scottish boss. After hours, he numbs the loneliness and the pressure with alcohol and marijuana, while still setting aside most of his pay for home. It is never quite enough. A new phone for his teenage daughter, a birthday gift for a cousin, or money for an uncle's business each draw on what he earns, and everyone depends on his paycheck. Tony finds brief relief in video calls with his family and in skateboarding in deserted car parks, and he drifts into the rougher side of Sydney, far from the glittering view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. As his situation reaches a breaking point, he must confront what his choices have cost him. Translated from Filipino by Peter Dominique Mutuc, the novel examines economic hardship, emotional strain and, at times, physical violence.