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  <title><![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]></title>
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  <description><![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]></description>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[First I’m very pleasantly surprised with the structure of the novel (“novel” in some lovely weird way). Namely it starts from the middle of the story, somewhere in the middle of the road between survival and life (or should I say ‘hope’?), in the middle of the night, between two continents...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53761615">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue Feb 26 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[This is the book that Rochester, NY reads for 2008.  The subject is informative as it regards the lives of men and women struggling to survive in modern Morocco. The format of short stories describing one critical moment in the lives of four characters, then the past, and later the present is unique...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/16495555">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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    <rating>3</rating>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Kate]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at>Thu Apr 23 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Apr 22 17:44:06 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Apr 23 13:11:45 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Laila Lalami is one of the authors speaking at the 2009 L.A. Times Festival of Books - that was the motivation for my picking up her book.<br/><br/>She gets immediate points for an evocative title.  &quot;Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits&quot; is an elegant way of describing the concept of the bo...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53656236">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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    <rating>4</rating>
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  <date_updated>Mon Sep 08 13:28:36 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[<br/> Plot in a nutshell: From separate walks of life, four Moroccan main characters' stories are linked in their desperation to illegally immigrate to Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar to find better employment and better conditions for themselves and their families. The book opens with the t...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32365984">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32365984]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32365984]]></link>
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Suzi]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue May 27 10:59:55 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue May 27 11:01:02 -0700 2008</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[From <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2006/12/14/coverstory.html">here</a>:<br/><br/><br/>How many books have you read lately about Moroccan immigrants to Spain? Yeah, that's what I thought, and Spain, with an immigration rate far, <em>far</em> higher than that of the supposedly immigrant-overwhelmed U.S., doesn't have a whole lot of fiction about the Moroccan immigran...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23053945">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23053945]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jun 20 11:55:43 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jun 22 06:03:24 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Laila Lalami's debut Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits is an exquisitely written linked collection. I know Laila from her blog. So I know this is her first book and I know the steps she has taken to get here, but even so, as I read this book, it was difficult to believe that it was a debut. The writ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2171498">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2171498]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[In her exciting debut, Laila Lalami evokes the grit and enduring grace that is modern Morocco and offers an authentic look at the Muslim immigrant experience today.  <br/><br/><br/><br/>The book begins as four Moroccans illegally cross the Strait of Gibraltar in an inflatable boat headed for Spain. There’s Murad, a gentle, educated man who’s been reduced to hustling tourists around Tangier; Halima, who’s fleeing her drunken husband and the slums of Casablanca; Aziz, who must leave behind his devoted wife to find work in Spain; and Faten, a student and religious fanatic whose faith is at odds with an influential man determined to destroy her future. <br/><br/> What has driven these men and women to risk their lives? And will the rewards prove to be worth the danger? Sensitively written with beauty and boldness, this is a grip­ping book about people in search of a better future.<br/><br/>]]>
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  <read_at>Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jun 19 14:41:44 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jun 22 06:02:36 -0700 2007</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Laila Lalami's debut Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits is an exquisitely written linked collection. I know Laila from her blog. So I know this is her first book and I know the steps she has taken to get here, but even so, as I read this book, it was difficult to believe that it was a debut. The writ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2131240">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Fri Apr 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Apr 04 12:36:16 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Apr 10 09:39:18 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[This book was a pure joy to read. It is listed as a collection of short stories — and that it is — however, the stories are all related. Among a group of people fleeing Morocco to Spain in a small boat are four unrelated Muslims whose lives are briefly intertwined during the journey. By introduc...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51493791">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jul 15 13:10:17 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jul 27 19:38:30 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[clearly it was amazing because morocco is still a fresh experience in my recent history. but beyond that obvious bias, this is a finely-crafted book that tells the stories of several moroccans as they struggle with unemployment and less-than-brilliant futures at home and as immigrants (starting out ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3101884">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3101884]]></url>
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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    <![CDATA[In her exciting debut, Laila Lalami evokes the grit and enduring grace that is modern Morocco and offers an authentic look at the Muslim immigrant experience today.  <br/><br/><br/><br/>The book begins as four Moroccans illegally cross the Strait of Gibraltar in an inflatable boat headed for Spain. There’s Murad, a gentle, educated man who’s been reduced to hustling tourists around Tangier; Halima, who’s fleeing her drunken husband and the slums of Casablanca; Aziz, who must leave behind his devoted wife to find work in Spain; and Faten, a student and religious fanatic whose faith is at odds with an influential man determined to destroy her future. <br/><br/> What has driven these men and women to risk their lives? And will the rewards prove to be worth the danger? Sensitively written with beauty and boldness, this is a grip­ping book about people in search of a better future.<br/><br/>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jun 03 08:37:02 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Jun 03 08:54:10 -0700 2007</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[During, Before, and After. The core episode is an illegal attempt to cross a border, the Strait of Gibraltar, on a small boat. The book is a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Moroccans: a mother of three trying to escape an abusive, alcoholic husband; an unemployed college graduate trying to make a...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1626147">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1626147]]></url>
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <date_added>Mon May 11 09:39:20 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon May 11 09:40:12 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I recently received HOPE AND OTHER DANGEROUS PURSUITS by Laila Lalami as a gift. Lalami shares modern Morocco though interconnecting profiles and the compelling journeys of her characters will intrigue and draw you to them. These fictional characters are very much alive. This remarkable book is a be...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55673421">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55673421]]></url>
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
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  <read_at>Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jan 29 00:17:28 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Jan 29 00:22:29 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Around spring time of last year (2007) I went through all of the Arab fiction I could stand to read at once.  I locked myself in my apartment in Boston at night and read and read and read until I couldn't read any more.  The thing about fiction from the Middle East and Northern Africa is that it is ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13910842">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13910842]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13910842]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
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    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jul 26 06:15:53 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Jul 26 06:16:05 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Though set in Morocco, not Mexico, and the body of water crossed is the Mediterranean, not the Rio Grande, the stories of the desperate immigrants told in this book are eerily similar to those of many new Texans. The writing is lovely and the stories are captivating. <br/><br/><br/>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64989770]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64989770]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>29201127</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Brenna]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <date_added>Mon Aug 04 07:29:38 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Aug 04 07:29:38 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I thought this was wonderful; she managed to tell multiple tales of illegal immigration between morocco and spain--how some got immediately deported, some tried again, some changed their minds, some never returned--deftly, simply, and movingly.  It was incredibly economical, and yet there was room f...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29201127">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29201127]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
  <id>37065994</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Roger]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Nov 06 15:45:55 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Feb 16 12:08:24 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This was an excellent bok. Lalami gives the reader insights to Morrocan life, as well as the every day struggles that people go through, regardless of their nationaly. It really took me a while to read it but I finally got down to it. <br/><br/>I recommend this book to anyone. It is a great book, ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/37065994">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/37065994]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
  <id>22189694</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[AC]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
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</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at>Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue May 13 17:53:19 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue May 13 17:57:47 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[An excellent collection, the book begins with an attempt to illegally immigrate from Morocco to Spain.  The pilot of the boat they are on kicks them out of the boat before they reach shore--some make it the rest of the way, some don't; some are captured after they arrive, while others manage to evad...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22189694">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22189694]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22189694]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>49831510</id>
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    <id>714152</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Barbara]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
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</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Mar 19 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Mar 19 20:08:11 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Mar 19 20:11:21 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book is a story of four different individuals from Morocco and their unique reasons for attempting to emigrate illegally to Spain.  It was a quick read and enjoyed.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49831510]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49831510]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>71899412</id>
    <user>
    <id>808917</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Carol]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Bountiful, UT]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Sep 20 13:27:17 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Sep 20 13:28:28 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I liked this book up until the TMI part about the girl who takes up prostitution.  Unnecessary and I am horrified by many of the books on the AP list.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71899412]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71899412]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>45382143</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Suzanne]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Feb 04 13:32:03 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Feb 04 13:42:19 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The plight of Morrocans trying to escape into Spain for a better life is an interesting and often sad story.  Spain is not nirvana as they hope.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45382143]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45382143]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Nerak]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Hope &amp; Other Dangerous Pursuits]]>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1250814.Hope_Other_Dangerous_Pursuits</link>
  <average_rating>3.74</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>246</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[<em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage.  <p> Less a novel than a series of biographical sketches, the book seems at times like a tease; Lalami does such a beautiful job creating her characters that readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. Still, each portrait gives us a chance to not only engage with the character, but to gain an understanding of the religious, socio-economic, and emotional circumstances that compel each person to leave Morocco. Faten, a student who dons the <em>hijab</em>, is forced to flee when her religious beliefs start threatening the lives of influential educators. Murad, a serious, educated young man chances the crossing in search of a better life, where he doesn't have to hustle tourists to make a living. In each scene, Lalami bring Moroccan culture to life, from the tree-lined suburbs of Rabat to the Douar Lhajja slum, &quot;where couscous pots were used as satellite dishes.&quot; <p> With <em>Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits</em>, Lalami creates a world that is both modern and traditional, hopeful and desperate, mournful and joyous. Readers can look forward to much more from this talented new voice. <em>--Gisele Toueg</em></p></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2005</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at>Fri Aug 28 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Aug 28 11:24:17 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Aug 28 11:25:44 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Interesting, set in modern Morocco, short stories about four people who for different reasons attempt to illegally emigrate to Spain.  ]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69230028]]></url>
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