Typical themes of migrant literature are conditions in the homeland and life as an alien in Germany. Both of these are to be found in Schami's works, but unlike many migrant writings in German, they never degenerate into a lament on the difficulties of the foreign worker or an exposé of German xenophobia.
Common topics of migrant literature encompass situations in one's native land and existence as a non-native in Germany. Both are present in Schami's works, but unlike many other migrant writings in German, they rarely become overly centered on the challenges encountered by foreign workers or an in-depth examination of German xenophobia.