Home and Away

Home and Away follows Canadian author and musician David Bidini as he covers the 2010 Homeless World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil. The book chronicles both the experiences of players on Team Canada and Bidini's own reflections as he documents their journey. During his time at the tournament, Bidini observes and reports on matches between teams composed entirely of homeless players from different nations. The narrative includes profiles of Canadian team members and their personal stories of struggle and survival on the streets. Through his reporting of this unique sporting event, Bidini explores themes of redemption, community, and the transformative power of sport. The book offers perspective on homelessness while demonstrating how soccer can create connection and purpose for those living on society's margins. The story transcends typical sports journalism to become a meditation on human dignity and resilience in the face of extreme hardship. What emerges is a portrait of individuals finding their way back from the edge through the simple but profound act of playing a game.

Readers appreciate Bidini's personal voice and passion as he follows Canada's homeless soccer team at the 2008 Homeless World Cup. Many reviewers connect with the honest portrayal of players' struggles and transformations during the tournament. Readers liked: - Detailed player backstories and character development - Balance of soccer coverage with social issues - Canadian perspective on international homelessness - Raw, first-hand accounts from participants Readers disliked: - Scattered narrative structure - Too much focus on author's own experiences - Limited tournament play details - Abrupt ending One reader noted "powerful individual stories but loses momentum in the middle." Another mentioned "wanted more about the actual games and competition." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (42 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) Chapters/Indigo: 4/5 (3 ratings) The book appears to resonate most with readers interested in social issues rather than sports fans seeking traditional tournament coverage.

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🏒 David Bidini played in a Canadian indie rock band, The Rheostatics, for over 20 years before becoming a full-time writer and journalist. 🌏 The book follows the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2007 Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark - an annual tournament featuring teams of homeless players from around the globe. 🏆 Since its inception in 2003, the Homeless World Cup has helped over one million homeless people change their lives through soccer/football programs. 📝 Bidini is also known for writing "On a Cold Road," chronicling his band's tours across Canada, and "Tropic of Hockey," about the sport in unusual places like China and Dubai. 🎯 The Canadian team featured in the book included players who had overcome addiction, mental illness, and poverty - with some going on to find stable housing and employment after participating in the tournament.