Leaving Tangier is a novel about exile, longing, disappointment and identity. The lives of several characters are traced through their dream of escaping Morocco to the "paradise" of Europe (Spain), the difficulties they encounter, and their eventual "escape" back. The narrative remains quite conventional, focusing on one character at a time by chapters, until the final chapter, which becomes a bit surreal and allegorical, with some postmodern reflection on the fictional quality of the book/life. The novel won a literary prize for writers from the Maghreb. The novel mostly works, and the main characters, Azzel, his sister Kenza and their "benefactor" Miguel are portrayed well, although sometimes with stereotypical characteristics. It's a heart-felt book that does get a bit heavy on "message" at times.
Click here for a review of the book from The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/04/leaving-tangier-tahar-ben-jelloun
Click here for a review of the book from The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/04/leaving-tangier-tahar-ben-jelloun
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