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The Return
August 2021: Cultural
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The Return by Hisham Matar - 4 stars
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I’m so glad to see someone else reading this book! As a reader, I was waiting for a conclusion that just never came - a very tiny taste of what it must feel like for the author. I’m sure this was done purposefully and was exceptionally well executed. Its impossible to read this book without your heart aching.
Yes, I agree. I like the way you put it - "waiting for a conclusion that just never came." So tragic.
One of the stories in Ten Women is that of a woman whose husband is arrested in a Pinochet sweep and she waits for him to return as she never finds out what happens to him. Incredibly moving story. Like here "waiting for a conclusion..."
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Ten Women (other topics)The Return (other topics)
Hisham Matar’s memoir about his search to find out what happened to his father, Jaballa Matar, an opponent of the Qaddafi regime, who was imprisoned in Libya in 1990. Matar spent is youth in Libya. For safety concerns, the family moved to Egypt, where his father was abducted. Hisham Matar spent over two decades trying to find out what happened. He eventually gained access to Libyan officials, including the son of the Libyan dictator, who promised to disclose what happened but never delivered. Other family members were also imprisoned, and Matar worked for their release.
The book touches on Matar’s personal history, studies in the UK, and writing career. It reflects a struggle with identity and a longing for home. He obviously has a great love for his country. It is a lyrically written and moving memoir. It is not a comprehensive political analysis of the history of Libyan conflicts. It mentions several but supplemental reading will be required to get a more complete picture.
This book vividly portrays the emotional impact of not knowing the fate of a loved one. The reader can feel Matar’s frustration as he is put off time after time, saying the information will be forthcoming “tomorrow or the day after.” I particularly enjoyed the way he conveys the power of literature and art in providing solace during times of trouble.