Through the use of story-telling by various characters, Watermiller enlightens the readers of the difficult life and tragedies that citizens of several Southeastern European countries have endured since the alleged Percentages Agreement made by Churchill and Stalin during World War II in 1944. As a result of that meeting, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union leaders of the time supposedly determined the fate of Southeastern Europe which put Romania under the control of the Soviet Union and Greece under British guidance. Soft Tales from a Refugee Camp is an historical fiction account of a family from Romania and their difficult journey to escape communism in their home country to a new life half way around the world. Gabriel Watermiller thoroughly outlines the lives of the Popescu family, Stefan and Lia, their children, Val and Ana, along with their dog, Carina, and how they escape communist occupied Romania in the 1980’s. Their travels first take them to Greece. They start their journey into the country with a prison bus ride to a refugee camp in Attica. Not sure how they are going to survive with the little money they have, they find that the accommodations are favorable and that life in a refugee camp has many more freedoms that which they were use to in Romania. While awaiting the proper papers to be approved to immigrate to Canada, they meet many others in the camp, make lasting friendships, and strengthen the bonds of their family. Stefan and his family become well educated at the camp about world views and other cultures, something that was sheltered from them in Romania. Even so, Stefan keeps his strong political views regarding his home country and the new opportunities awaiting his family in Canada. Watermiller has a way with story-telling that meticulously gives the reader full appreciation of his message.
