The Arab of the Future 2
Subtitle: a graphic memoir : a childhood in the Middle East (1984-1985)
By: Riad Sattouf ; translated by Sam Taylor
Contributors: Taylor, Sam, 1970- translator
Edition: First U.S. edition.
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 154
ISBN-13: 9781627793513
Copyright date: 2016
Subjects: Cartoonists; Childhood and youth; Biography; Comic books, strips
Other titles: Arab of the Future two; Graphic memoir : a childhood in the Middle East (1984-1985); Childhood in the Middle East (1984-1985)
Work titles: Arabe du futur
Description: The highly anticipated continuation of Riad Sattoufs internationally acclaimed, #1 French bestseller, which was hailed by the New York Times as a disquieting yet essential read in the Arab of the Future: Volume 1, cartoonist Riad Sattouf tells of the first years of his childhood as his family shuttles back and forth between France and the Middle East.  In Libya and Syria, young Riad is exposed to the dismal reality of a life where food is scarce, children kill dogs for sport, and his cousins, virulently anti-Semitic and convinced he is Jewish because of his blond hair, lurk around every corner waiting to beat him up.  In volume 2, Riad, now settled in his fathers hometown of Horms, gets to go to school, where he dedicates himself to becoming a true Syrian in the country of the dictator Hafez Al-Assad.  Told simply yet with devastating effect, Riads story takes in the sweep of politics, religion, and poverty, but is steered by acutely observed small moments: the daily sadism of his schoolteacher, the lure of the black market, with its menu of shame and subsistence, and the obsequiousness of his father in the company of those close to the regime.  As family strains to fit in, on chilling, barbaric act drives the Sattoufs to make the most dramatic of changes.  Darkly funny and piercingly direct.  The Arab of the Future, Volume 2 once again reveals the inner workings of a tormented country and a tormented family, delivered through Riad Saffoufs dazzlingly original talent.
Notes: Translation from the French of: Arabe du futur.