Abdellah Taia is a brilliant young Moroccan who writes in French. In this novel, appropriately, he talks about his first contacts with Europeans. We learn about the traditional Moroccan family, about Swiss sex tourists, about the Salvation Army in Geneva, about the first burgeoning of desire in a young Arab, about family love and carnal love. Taia has a captivating way of taking us into his confidence and telling us essential truths. -- Edmund White
Abdellah Taia (born in 1973) is the author of six novels, including Salvation Army and An Arab Melancholia, both published by Semiotext(e), and Infidels. His novel Le jour du roi, about the death of Morocco's King Hassan II, won the 2010 Prix de Flore. He also directed and wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film adaptation of Salvation Army.
Here in the United States, it's easy to become jaded about the
coming out narrative. It can feel like a story we've read one time
too many, one that has somehow become commodified, fraught with
predictability. But every once in a while a novel comes along that
shatters our jaded state and renews our faith in the queer coming
of age genre. Abdellah Taïa's Salvation Army is one such book.
*Lambda Report*
In a simple and straightforward language, the author leads the
reader through a journey of uncertainty and self-discovery, beyond
the nuanced resonance of words and emotions. Writing, which he
discovers at an early age, involves for him a courageous and
unprecedented act of exposing his country's taboos and
prohibitions.
*Tingus Magazine*
Just when you thought you'd read every coming out story imaginable,
a book as fresh and original as this one enlivens the genre.
*Frontiers in LA*
The novel is richly layered yet impressively lean, and as easily
enjoyed by the pool as at a university library.
*Bay Area Reporter*
This straightforward story about self-discovery is a reminder that
coming-of-age tales still need to be told.
*Richard Labonte *
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
