Tahar Ben Jelloun is an international bestselling author from Morocco. He’s written 30 some novels, though he is a “new” author to me.
I picked Leaving Tangier as my first read because it is from one of my favorite genres, immigration stories, in this case that of “los moros” moving northward across the 8-1/2 mile straits separating Morocco from Spain. The story is told through the characters of Azel, his sister Kenza, and a benefactor named Miguel, from Barcelona, who facilitates their exit. A central theme of the book is the desperation a lack of opportunity breeds among the young in Morocco. This reality, both economic and societal, is what leads Azel, Kenza and tens of thousands of others to take whatever routes available to flee for the chance at the proverbial “better life” in Europe.
It’s not a new story, change the names of the countries and this is a common history threading through many great works of literature. The North Africa to Western Europe immigration versions I have read however have always been written by Europeans, patronizing Europeans. What makes Leaving Tangier different is the knowing perspective brought to the story by Ben Jelloun, a native of Fez, who now divides his time between Tangier and Paris. His eyes are critical of Morocco mind you, and one must wonder how he has avoided arrest all of these years. But his eyes are equally critical of Europe, a balance not usually found in discussions on this topic.
The book is written in realism, but also weaves in a few good dream sequences. For the conclusion, it incorporates a fantasy tract ranking among most amazing I’ve ever read, as both Flaubert and Don Quixote board a ship “of five and twenty.”
I’d also like to comment on the character development in the book, because it is significant and very well done, but alas to say more would entail a spoiler alert -- you’ll have to read it yourself, and yes, that is a very strong recommendation.
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