Review of Island of Hope: Migration and Solidarity in the Mediterranean by Megan A. Carney

International Migration (2022)

In an era where hostility towards immigrants is escalating and borders are increasingly fortified, turning to solidarity networks becomes a powerful source of hope. These networks create a space for imagining more inclusive forms of statehood and citizenship beyond the boundaries of normative national frameworks. Island of Hope: Migration and Solidarity in the Mediterranean by Megan A. Carley presents a vivid ethnographic account of solidarity practices in Sicily between 2014 and 2019. Through extensive fieldwork and active engagement with various individuals and institutions involved in immigrant reception, Carley offers valuable insights into the everyday realities of both citizens and non-citizens. The book’s strength lies in its nuanced examination of solidarity networks operating at the intersection of neoliberalism and migration policies. By documenting diverse forms of solidarity, it encourages readers to critically reassess what solidarity means in contemporary migration contexts.