I was a bit stunned by the ending, even though I had a good idea of what was coming. But, I was still not so sold on some of the events, not really.
I understand depression despair, rage, and I could empathize greatly with most of the main characters, the privileged and the poverty stricken. It’s about poverty and injustice and other ills that can lead to poor conclusions.
It’s also about the feeling of not belonging. This book is all about betrayal, both with malice and with supposed love and protection in mind. It was a bit jarring, but it was effective. It was a little weird at first but I ended up appreciating the separate sections to show the different points of view of the various characters. I admired how while parts of this story are about big issues, the significance of the psychological aspects of family, including what’s happened in past generations, and of friends and community, and most of all the importantce of each person’s psychological makeup was shown clearly. I got a great feel for various parts of Morocco and what it feels like to be an immigrant. This book had a good mix of the personal and political, heavy on the personal, which I liked. Great story.This book has such an enjoyable writing style it’s very accessible and the book is a really quick read, and a pleasant read, despite its tragic subject matter. Lalami captured the turmoil of family, of adolescence, and of despair amidst social stagnation in ways that many will be able to relate to. They are relationships an individual evolves over time that shape one's decisions and outlook, but rarely settle in one place. The notions of Family, Identity, and Home don't have beginnings, middles, and ends. The abrupt ending and non-finality of any characters' stories were surprising, but fitting. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this story, even in the way that some scenes were repeated to provide the interior emotional turmoil of two characters in opposite sides of a dialog. Ultimately, his uncertainty leads him astray, and he must find a way out.
He tries to navigate college, friendships, and life as a working man, all while balancing the opposing wishes of his family. Caught between the stories of orphanhood and struggle his mother raised him on and the discovery of his real family, Youcef tries to understand who he is, versus the various roles that society asks him to play. Secret Son portrays the life of a young man in Casablanca slum trying to find his way.
0 kommentar(er)
