In Maria Padian’s Out of Nowhere, a small town in Maine confronts the changes brought about by the arrival of Somali immigrants. The novel mirrors real-life situations in many American towns that have become sanctuaries for refugees, addressing the cultural tensions and opportunities arising from resettlement. The narrative explores issues of assimilation, racism, and multiculturalism, making the cultural context essential to understanding the narrative’s themes and implications.

The Somali refugee crisis, which forms the backdrop of this story, is one of the most significant global mass displacement crises in human history. For over 30 years, Somalia has been embroiled in a civil war, leading to political instability and a humanitarian crisis that has forced hundreds of thousands to seek asylum abroad. The lives of the novel’s Somali characters are shaped by this history. General Mohammad Siad Barre ruled Somalia from 1969 to 1991, and his reign was marked by corruption and increasing inter-clan violence. After years of decline, his regime was toppled by the rebel United Somali Conference in 1991. In the aftermath of Barre’s collapse, several groups vied for power, leading to intense fighting especially in and around Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu.