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Passage of Tears
Passage of Tears | Abdourahman A. Waberi
3 posts | 2 read | 2 to read
Djibouti, a hot, impoverished little country on the Horn of Africa, is a place of great strategic importance, for off its coast lies a crucial passage for the world's oil. In this novel by Abdourahman A. Waberi, Djibril, a young Djiboutian voluntarily exiled in Montreal, returns to his native land to prepare a report for an American economic intelligence firm. Meanwhile, a shadowy, threatening figure imprisoned in an island cell seems to know Djibril's every move. He takes dictation from his preaching cellmate known as his "Venerable Master," but as the words are put on the page, a completely different text appears--the life of Walter Benjamin, Djibril's favorite author. Passage of Tears cleverly mixes many genres and forms of writing--spy novel, political thriller, diary (replete with childhood memories), travel notebook, legends, parables, incantations, and prayers. Djibril's reminiscences provide a sense of Djibouti's past and its people, while a satire of Muslim fundamentalism is unwittingly delivered through the other Djiboutian voice. Waberi's inventive parody is a lesson in tolerance, while his poetic observations reveal his love and concern for his homeland. Praise for the French Edition "Disguised as a political thriller, Passage of Tears is above all a great novel of childhood, murderous identities, and exile."--Le Monde des Livres "A gripping book, burning with urgency and tension."--T?l?rama.
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review
BarbaraBB
Passage of Tears | Abdourahman A. Waberi
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Pickpick

We read about the clashes between modern and traditional #Djibouti through the eyes of two estranged brothers. One left for Canada but has returned to research the possibilities for American investments, the other stayed and dedicated his life to the Quran.
The former brother keeps records of his observations and memories. They are interspersed with letters from his brother in prison who seems to observe his every move.

#ReadingAfrica2022 🇩🇯

BarbaraBB Thank you @Liz_M for sending me this book 🤍🤍 2y
Liz_M @BarbaraBB Happy to share and I'm glad you didn't hate it! 😁 2y
Librarybelle I love how the book cover matches your setting! 2y
BarbaraBB @Liz_M You know I wouldn‘t!! 2y
79 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Passage of Tears | Abdourahman A. Waberi
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#WeeklyForecast 47/22

Three completely different books lined up for this week. Current read is the Hamid, it‘s on the #ToB23 longlist. The tagged book is a birthday gift from @Liz_M that I‘ll read for #ReadingAfrica2023 and the third one is a romance novel! I don‘t often read them but I did like our Buddyread book Seven Days In June. I asked @CarolynM for recommendations and she mentioned this one. I am looking forward to it!

Cinfhen Fun!!! It‘s great to read across genres!!! 2y
squirrelbrain I‘m going to borrow The Last White Man from the library so will be interested to hear your thoughts… have a great week! 2y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I just finished it and tagged you! 2y
CarolynM Oh dear! I hope you like Corey and Hartley, or at least that you see what I mean about showing the relationship developing. 2y
BarbaraBB @CarolynM I‘m sure I will be fine! I‘ll keep you posted 🤍 2y
64 likes5 comments
review
Liz_M
Passage of Tears | Abdourahman A. Waberi
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Pickpick

It‘s not a “spy novel“ or “political thriller” due to the lack of plot and momentum. Instead, it is a multilayered story told through three texts. The reader is dropped into the world, not really understanding what Djibril is doing there, or the role of the Muslim prisoner. Context is slowly provided through disjointed memories or religious-influenced monologues. I found it intellectually interesting but emotionally flat and bereft of tension.

Librarybelle Great review! 2y
BarbaraBB You have me intrigued anyhow! 2y
Liz_M @TheAromaofBooks, this was my January #DoubleSpin 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Nice to get a backlog book checked off!! 2y
28 likes5 comments