Analyse af Depi Alpers novelle 'How lucky you are'

”How lucky you are” is a short story written by Depi Alper. The story is primarily told by a third person limited narrator. The narrator is aware of the protagonist Max’s feelings and thoughts, but ignorant of the other characters’ inner workings. However, at one point it comes across as if Max himself is the narrator: “Yeah right, Dad. That’s why I heard her crying every night for weeks after you left.”

“How lucky you are” follows the young boy Max, who is growing increasingly fed up with school, and one day decides to skip school. As he mucks about, he encounters two strange women; Ishraqi and Alexsa. Ishraqi is a young refugee from Iran, seeking asylum in England by herself. Her parents have been arrested by the Iranian regime during a protest. Alexsa is an immigrant from Kosovo who has become a social worker, and now aids Ishraqi. While waiting for Ishraqi’s appointment with the Home Office, who is to decide her fate, by either letting her stay in England or banishing her to Iran, Max takes Ishraqi out to explore London. As they explore Max’s home turf, the two of them almost instantly become romantically involved. Ishraqi’s story of her parents’ disappearance inspires Max to try and reconcile with his mother, whom he had grown antagonistic towards. He is heartbroken however, when Ishraqi is denied asylum and is forced to immediately return to Iran, despite the fact her life would be in serious danger. Max returns home to his mother, who spares him of her lecture, and instead comforts him, as she can tell that he’s distraught.