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Secret Son
When a young man is given the chance to rewrite his future, he doesn't realize the price he will pay for giving up his past...Casablanca's stinking alleys are the only home that nineteen-year-old Youssef El-Mekki has ever known. Raised by his mother in a one-room home, he dreams of escape - until, one day, the father he thought dead turns out to be very much alive, and whisks him from the slums into the luxurious life of Casablanca's elite. But as he leaves the poverty of his childhood behind him, he comes up against a starkly un-glittering reality...
291 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2009
107 people are currently reading
2622 people want to read
About the author
Laila Lalami
21 books2,016 followersLaila Lalami is the author of five books, including The Moor’s Account, which won the American Book Award, the Arab-American Book Award, and the Hurston Wright Legacy Award. It was on the longlist for the Booker Prize and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. Her most recent novel, The Other Americans, was a national bestseller, won the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, and was a finalist for the National Book Award in Fiction. Her books have been translated into twenty languages. She has been awarded fellowships from the British Council, the Fulbright Program, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
June 22, 2016
fast read. well written. one son’s personal anguish cradled in Morocco’s class struggles and corruption among the ruling class. recommended reading.
September 18, 2010
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. This book had a good mix of the personal and political, heavy on the personal, which I liked.
I got a great feel for various parts of Morocco and what it feels like to be an immigrant. 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.
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. It was a bit jarring, but it was effective.
This book is all about betrayal, both with malice and with supposed love and protection in mind. It’s also about the feeling of not belonging. It’s about poverty and injustice and other ills that can lead to poor conclusions.
I understand depression despair, rage, and I could empathize greatly with most of the main characters, the privileged and the poverty stricken. But, I was still not so sold on some of the events, not really. I was a bit stunned by the ending, even though I had a good idea of what was coming. I felt some relief that in the end the characters did seem realistic and true to how they’d been crafted.
My two main complaints about this book are what I consider a weak ending and the lack of humor. Yes, there are characters in good humor and even characters that experience amusement, but I was never amused. Perhaps it’s because I knew the gist of the plot before I read the book, but I felt that the book kept to a very narrow range of tone.
I was very engaged when I was reading, at least up until toward the very end, but the way the story ended left me unsatisfied; I was gratified by how some of the subplots played out, but ultimately I was disappointed; I think I would have been much more pleased by so many different endings, sad or happy or any mix of the two. This is wonderful storytelling but the story ended up letting me down.
I got a great feel for various parts of Morocco and what it feels like to be an immigrant. 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.
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. It was a bit jarring, but it was effective.
This book is all about betrayal, both with malice and with supposed love and protection in mind. It’s also about the feeling of not belonging. It’s about poverty and injustice and other ills that can lead to poor conclusions.
I understand depression despair, rage, and I could empathize greatly with most of the main characters, the privileged and the poverty stricken. But, I was still not so sold on some of the events, not really. I was a bit stunned by the ending, even though I had a good idea of what was coming. I felt some relief that in the end the characters did seem realistic and true to how they’d been crafted.
My two main complaints about this book are what I consider a weak ending and the lack of humor. Yes, there are characters in good humor and even characters that experience amusement, but I was never amused. Perhaps it’s because I knew the gist of the plot before I read the book, but I felt that the book kept to a very narrow range of tone.
I was very engaged when I was reading, at least up until toward the very end, but the way the story ended left me unsatisfied; I was gratified by how some of the subplots played out, but ultimately I was disappointed; I think I would have been much more pleased by so many different endings, sad or happy or any mix of the two. This is wonderful storytelling but the story ended up letting me down.
April 20, 2019
2.5.
I don't think as the description of this novel mentioned a journey of searching the meaning of life etc... neither I think that the author is experienced enough to write such a topic.
however, the author has done a good job describing the different lifestyles in Morocco, as well as pointing out the corruption and power of social classes there.
An other odd thing was when showing a conversation between 2, the questions and answers were different, it suppose to be showing the views and feelings.. I was wondering about an explanation for this in the reading club, but couldn’t find any. And some Arabic / French phrases left untranslated.
I think the main point of the novel was to point out how some militant groups were taking advantage of the extreme poverty in the country to recruit young people and how easy to brainwash them.
I think this story will do a good movie more than a good book.
* couldn't find audible adition on goodreads. *
I don't think as the description of this novel mentioned a journey of searching the meaning of life etc... neither I think that the author is experienced enough to write such a topic.
however, the author has done a good job describing the different lifestyles in Morocco, as well as pointing out the corruption and power of social classes there.
An other odd thing was when showing a conversation between 2, the questions and answers were different, it suppose to be showing the views and feelings.. I was wondering about an explanation for this in the reading club, but couldn’t find any. And some Arabic / French phrases left untranslated.
I think the main point of the novel was to point out how some militant groups were taking advantage of the extreme poverty in the country to recruit young people and how easy to brainwash them.
I think this story will do a good movie more than a good book.
* couldn't find audible adition on goodreads. *
June 23, 2018
Growing up in the Casablanca slumps, Youssef is urged by he’s mother to pursue he’s education at college and try to better himself.
Youssef soon learns that he’s believed dead father is still alive, in fact he’s a wealthy businessman!
Given the choice of abandoning he’s past, Youssef has the opportunity to live a wealthy lifestyle.
Which will he choose?
A pretty simple story that highlights the gulf in the class divide, a well written novel which drew me in straight from the first chapter.
It gave a nice insight into what life is like in Morocco, a perfect choice for my #WorldCupInBooks.
Youssef soon learns that he’s believed dead father is still alive, in fact he’s a wealthy businessman!
Given the choice of abandoning he’s past, Youssef has the opportunity to live a wealthy lifestyle.
Which will he choose?
A pretty simple story that highlights the gulf in the class divide, a well written novel which drew me in straight from the first chapter.
It gave a nice insight into what life is like in Morocco, a perfect choice for my #WorldCupInBooks.
April 7, 2009
In this superb short novel, Laila Lalami deftly limns the rise and fall of Youssef El Mekki, unacknowledged bastard son of prominent businessman, disillusioned activist, and bon vivant Nabil El Amrani. Seemingly sprung from the trap of the Casablanca slums when he learns that his father, far from being dead, is in fact a Moroccan tycoon, Youssef is soon caught in a complex web of familial and political intrigue. A mark of this novel's quality is its ability to portray what for many Americans is the mildly exotic culture of Morocco while also convincingly revealing the ways in which both Americans and Moroccans are enmeshed in their own cultural contexts (a point illustrated in another fashion by Malcolm Gladwell's recent Outliers). While each character acts as though autonomously, behind the apparently simple interactions between the characters lies a complex web of human relationships, cultural relationships, and sometimes sinister motivations, which Lalami gradually unveils. Lalami's lean style, unsparing eye, and tight construction mean not a word is wasted in this elegant depiction of the book's all too human characters and its damning indictment of the cruel forces that manipulate them.
January 1, 2018
A little disappointing. The main character Youssef grows up without a father. He is poor but idle. He meets his previously thought dead father who is rich. A new world in open to him but this is soon removed and he is back in the poverty grove. He is tempted into a local Islamic group.
There is coverage of the sexist, class riddled life in Morocco and the temptations to rebel. But this book lacked tension, the characters just didn't do it for me. The plotting of the two mothers was a highlight.
I did feel for Youssef and what awaits him. See This Blinding Absence of Light
There is coverage of the sexist, class riddled life in Morocco and the temptations to rebel. But this book lacked tension, the characters just didn't do it for me. The plotting of the two mothers was a highlight.
I did feel for Youssef and what awaits him. See This Blinding Absence of Light
May 14, 2009
Having read Laila Lalami’s short fiction collection Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, I was thrilled to find out she was working on her first novel, Secret Son. Often when I read first-time novelists, I notice some difficulty with dialogue (my own biggest downfall when I’m writing fiction), awkward clichés, and pages of text that don’t really keep the story moving. Lalami managed to escape all these snares and Secret Son is a joy from the beginning to the end.
On her personal blog, Lalami says she was recently asked why the main character is a man, and her response is “Youssef c’est moi”. One might ask just how a woman writes a book about a man, and if the book qualifies for a review from a feminist perspective. If you ask this, you need to read Secret Son.
The story is set in Morocco and tells of Youssef El-Mekki’s coming of age. Youssef is a young man who lives in the slums of Casablanca. He believes the story his mother has always told him: that his father died in an accident when he was very young. He lives as a fatherless child in a patriarchal society. The shocking discovery that his father is not only alive, but also rich, is a seeming fairy tale come true. His mother Rachida warns him that his heart will be broken, but Youssef moves away from her and into an apartment offered by his father. It is not so difficult to imagine the direction the story takes, and eventually Youssef is sent back to his mother after his father’s wife finds out about his existence.
There is commentary on the desperation of life in Casablanca for poor young men who feel drawn into the “family” of fundamentalist leanings or the escapism of drugs. The difficulties posed when living in multiple cultures and the self-discovery of an alternative way are explored when Youssef’s half-sister Amal studies in the U.S. and falls in love with a non-Muslim Latino. The truth of Youssef’s birth and his mother’s precarious living situation reveals an all-too-common truth of a class-conscious society, where the higher classes abuse the women of the lower classes and then discard them.
Although Youssef is the main character, the exploration of women’s roles—and the often stifling and hypocritical expectations put upon them—is a theme throughout the novel. Amal’s rebellion against her father and cultural norms—by insisting on studying in the United States and living with a non-Muslim, non-Arab man without marriage—is a perfect foil for Rachida’s story of love and betrayal by Youssef’s father Nabil, and the ultimate rebuilding of her life.
One of the most interesting things for me as both a writer and reader is the way the story’s narrative actually changes when different characters are speaking. For example, we see the initial meeting between Youssef and Nabil first through Youssef’s narrative and later through Nabil’s. When Nabil reminisces about the meeting there are inconsistencies between the two descriptions. In another area, a visit by Amal to Rachida also varies markedly between the two versions.
Unlike some books, the narrative does not clearly delineate that this part is from one point of view, and this other part is told from another. Instead, the story unfolds organically and it is up to you to catch these interesting discrepancies. I asked Lalami if it was intentional, and she explained: “The technique of using inconsistent dialogues in different points of view is absolutely willful on my part, and in fact I had to stop my copy-editor from trying to make it consistent. You are absolutely right that this is something that reinforces the fundamental fact that we each hear different things in a conversation.”
Lalami’s first novel is a jewel that takes her previously published short stories out for a longer spin and produces a beautiful and moving expose of Morocco’s duality—a duality that exists for many who are straddling two differing cultures. Lalami has taken the threads of several stories and sewn them together into one whole that shows how our lives entwine and how our choices change each other in both tangible and imperceptible ways.
Review by Aaminah Hernández
On her personal blog, Lalami says she was recently asked why the main character is a man, and her response is “Youssef c’est moi”. One might ask just how a woman writes a book about a man, and if the book qualifies for a review from a feminist perspective. If you ask this, you need to read Secret Son.
The story is set in Morocco and tells of Youssef El-Mekki’s coming of age. Youssef is a young man who lives in the slums of Casablanca. He believes the story his mother has always told him: that his father died in an accident when he was very young. He lives as a fatherless child in a patriarchal society. The shocking discovery that his father is not only alive, but also rich, is a seeming fairy tale come true. His mother Rachida warns him that his heart will be broken, but Youssef moves away from her and into an apartment offered by his father. It is not so difficult to imagine the direction the story takes, and eventually Youssef is sent back to his mother after his father’s wife finds out about his existence.
There is commentary on the desperation of life in Casablanca for poor young men who feel drawn into the “family” of fundamentalist leanings or the escapism of drugs. The difficulties posed when living in multiple cultures and the self-discovery of an alternative way are explored when Youssef’s half-sister Amal studies in the U.S. and falls in love with a non-Muslim Latino. The truth of Youssef’s birth and his mother’s precarious living situation reveals an all-too-common truth of a class-conscious society, where the higher classes abuse the women of the lower classes and then discard them.
Although Youssef is the main character, the exploration of women’s roles—and the often stifling and hypocritical expectations put upon them—is a theme throughout the novel. Amal’s rebellion against her father and cultural norms—by insisting on studying in the United States and living with a non-Muslim, non-Arab man without marriage—is a perfect foil for Rachida’s story of love and betrayal by Youssef’s father Nabil, and the ultimate rebuilding of her life.
One of the most interesting things for me as both a writer and reader is the way the story’s narrative actually changes when different characters are speaking. For example, we see the initial meeting between Youssef and Nabil first through Youssef’s narrative and later through Nabil’s. When Nabil reminisces about the meeting there are inconsistencies between the two descriptions. In another area, a visit by Amal to Rachida also varies markedly between the two versions.
Unlike some books, the narrative does not clearly delineate that this part is from one point of view, and this other part is told from another. Instead, the story unfolds organically and it is up to you to catch these interesting discrepancies. I asked Lalami if it was intentional, and she explained: “The technique of using inconsistent dialogues in different points of view is absolutely willful on my part, and in fact I had to stop my copy-editor from trying to make it consistent. You are absolutely right that this is something that reinforces the fundamental fact that we each hear different things in a conversation.”
Lalami’s first novel is a jewel that takes her previously published short stories out for a longer spin and produces a beautiful and moving expose of Morocco’s duality—a duality that exists for many who are straddling two differing cultures. Lalami has taken the threads of several stories and sewn them together into one whole that shows how our lives entwine and how our choices change each other in both tangible and imperceptible ways.
Review by Aaminah Hernández
March 13, 2014
My thoughts:
• I was not quite sure what to expect when I started reading Secret Son, but I was quickly drawn into the story and found myself captivated by the writing and the journey of the sensitive naïve nineteen year old protagonist, Youssef.
• I wondered about the quote included before the start of the story – “The fact that I/am writing to you/ in English/already falsifies what I wanted to tell you.” (from Cuban American port Gustavo Perez Firmat) but it made more sense when I learned that the author wrote this book for American audiences and yes, the book did appeal to my American sensibilities.
• The story is sent in contemporary Morocco after Sept. 11th which helps set the tone of the story.
• While each of the characters battles/confronts issues of identity, loyalty, and justice – it is Youssef’s that are the main focus in the book. It is the unraveling of secrets that reveal the cracks in perception that cause personal turmoil against the outside forces beguiling with their promises.
• Youssef lives in a slum in Casablanca with his single mother who pushed him that a university education is the way out of poverty. But Morocco has a very stratified class society and while the government speaks that all is possible if…, the actions say otherwise. And when Youssef gets to live this life of luxury and the attainment of a better future looks attainable, the fall back to poverty and the disillusionment of who he is shatters him until another type of dream is presented to him.
• This book highlights the struggle of Islamic fundamentalists vs. the corrupt liberalism of the power structure but this fight is definitely geared towards capturing the minds of men because there is not sugarcoating that this is an oppressive society for women.
• And while there are probably many answers to the question – “Why does one become a terrorist?” this storyline answers that question as it pertains to Youssef. I thought the author “kept it real” without over simplifying or going-over-the-top and illustrates how complicated and complex the issues of change, modernity vs. traditional, and power are.
• I was not quite sure what to expect when I started reading Secret Son, but I was quickly drawn into the story and found myself captivated by the writing and the journey of the sensitive naïve nineteen year old protagonist, Youssef.
• I wondered about the quote included before the start of the story – “The fact that I/am writing to you/ in English/already falsifies what I wanted to tell you.” (from Cuban American port Gustavo Perez Firmat) but it made more sense when I learned that the author wrote this book for American audiences and yes, the book did appeal to my American sensibilities.
• The story is sent in contemporary Morocco after Sept. 11th which helps set the tone of the story.
• While each of the characters battles/confronts issues of identity, loyalty, and justice – it is Youssef’s that are the main focus in the book. It is the unraveling of secrets that reveal the cracks in perception that cause personal turmoil against the outside forces beguiling with their promises.
• Youssef lives in a slum in Casablanca with his single mother who pushed him that a university education is the way out of poverty. But Morocco has a very stratified class society and while the government speaks that all is possible if…, the actions say otherwise. And when Youssef gets to live this life of luxury and the attainment of a better future looks attainable, the fall back to poverty and the disillusionment of who he is shatters him until another type of dream is presented to him.
• This book highlights the struggle of Islamic fundamentalists vs. the corrupt liberalism of the power structure but this fight is definitely geared towards capturing the minds of men because there is not sugarcoating that this is an oppressive society for women.
• And while there are probably many answers to the question – “Why does one become a terrorist?” this storyline answers that question as it pertains to Youssef. I thought the author “kept it real” without over simplifying or going-over-the-top and illustrates how complicated and complex the issues of change, modernity vs. traditional, and power are.
April 15, 2010
Disappointing. Writing was simplistic, dialogue unimaginative, plot unbelievable. Possibly if you had no exposure to other parts of the world you might learn something. But there are so many books that do a much better job of this (Brick Lane, The Inheritence of Loss for example). Disappointed that it was chosen by Seattle Public Library for it's Seattle Reads promotion. I only finished it because it was easy reading and my book club chose it because it was part of Seattle Reads. Seattle would be better off watching TV.
April 20, 2019
The novel was a bit fast paced and talked about different “heavy matters” (religion, politics, family and identity issues,hierarchy in society and it is influence, ...), too much drama for my taste.
It was alright as an audiobook despite my general dislike to infidelity and lies in books😣...
It wasn’t boring, just not my taste and sometimes I was left confused.
I wonder how someone who doesn’t know Arabic and french think of the untranslated bits. -personally didn’t understand any of the french sentence (except Bonjour)
It was alright as an audiobook despite my general dislike to infidelity and lies in books😣...
It wasn’t boring, just not my taste and sometimes I was left confused.
I wonder how someone who doesn’t know Arabic and french think of the untranslated bits. -personally didn’t understand any of the french sentence (except Bonjour)
November 7, 2019
Clash of the classes. Not the easiest job ever to weave yourself through these lines. It all comes at a price, a hefty one usually.
April 22, 2009
4.5 Stars! After reading some of the other reviews I wish I could be as eloquent as they have been but alas, I am not a writer--just a simple reader. Nevertheless, I continue. I was surprised at how taken I was with this novel. Would I have picked it up off a bookseller's shelf? I'm not sure. However, I certainly appreciated Lalami's writing style and found her stark descriptions of modern Morocco, it's culture, and its struggles quite captivating. Gently, Lalami pulled me into Youseff's life and I found myself quite taken with this young man. I was also taken with his mother and the sacrifices she had made in order to avoid shaming her family. This is a hard book to put down and it is certainly an appropriate novel for this decade. I give it only 4.5 stars simply because I did not care for the ending but, to be fair, I'm not sure if an ending I desired would have been best for the author's message.
Once again, I find myself in the difficult position of trying to find a new read once I have finished such an exceptional one.
Once again, I find myself in the difficult position of trying to find a new read once I have finished such an exceptional one.
August 8, 2020
I usually read the novels of the Arabic writers, to examine the impact of their culture on their writings.
This novel have clear theme of gender, immigration, religion and cultural conflict. The main theme is the root of the Islamic terrorism with clear reference to the planting society of this terrorism.
Despite the fact that the language is clear and simple, I found the language is dull.
This novel have clear theme of gender, immigration, religion and cultural conflict. The main theme is the root of the Islamic terrorism with clear reference to the planting society of this terrorism.
Despite the fact that the language is clear and simple, I found the language is dull.
December 2, 2025
3.5 stars
It amazes me how Laila Lalami is so diverse and multifaceted as a writer; none of her novels are truly alike. That is impressive.
In this backlist book, the focus is on Youssef, a young Moroccan man trying to find his way in a classist society. Having grown up in a slum in Casablanca, Youssef is no stranger to hard work and little opportunity. So when he gets the chance to change his situation, he takes it. He's naive not only about what this society will allow him to make of himself but also about his own family situation; his mother has withheld important information about his father and her own upbringing for his entire life.
The themes in this novel are strong: class hierarchy and power, family connections and loyalty, coming of age, personal and collective identity. And it's quite a plotty novel, an easy read. There were some unexpected moments towards the end and new perspectives/stories that were revealed, which kept me interested as a reader. Some of the character choices/motivations were not always clear, and I was left feeling like there were gaps in the narrative arc, but I overall liked reading this story and am intrigued to learn more about Moroccan society and politics.
It amazes me how Laila Lalami is so diverse and multifaceted as a writer; none of her novels are truly alike. That is impressive.
In this backlist book, the focus is on Youssef, a young Moroccan man trying to find his way in a classist society. Having grown up in a slum in Casablanca, Youssef is no stranger to hard work and little opportunity. So when he gets the chance to change his situation, he takes it. He's naive not only about what this society will allow him to make of himself but also about his own family situation; his mother has withheld important information about his father and her own upbringing for his entire life.
The themes in this novel are strong: class hierarchy and power, family connections and loyalty, coming of age, personal and collective identity. And it's quite a plotty novel, an easy read. There were some unexpected moments towards the end and new perspectives/stories that were revealed, which kept me interested as a reader. Some of the character choices/motivations were not always clear, and I was left feeling like there were gaps in the narrative arc, but I overall liked reading this story and am intrigued to learn more about Moroccan society and politics.
February 17, 2025
In the early 2000s, Youssef and his single mother live in the Hay an Najat slum in Casablanca. She advocates university education as a way out of poverty, and Youssef is studying literature. However, Morocco’s rigid social class distinctions make it extremely difficult for anyone in the lower classes to get a job, even with an education. When Youssef finds out his father, whom he though was dead, is a wealthy local businessman, he finds his life changing for the better, though his mother warns him that it may not last.
It is a book about belonging, betrayal, injustice, and hopelessness. Lalami is an excellent storyteller. The characters and storyline are engaging. I was with her until about three-quarters through the book, then it took a turn I felt was inconsistent with what came before. Laila Lalami was born in Morocco, so she knows the issues the country faces. I am not familiar Moroccan politics, and I feel I gained perspective.
3.5
It is a book about belonging, betrayal, injustice, and hopelessness. Lalami is an excellent storyteller. The characters and storyline are engaging. I was with her until about three-quarters through the book, then it took a turn I felt was inconsistent with what came before. Laila Lalami was born in Morocco, so she knows the issues the country faces. I am not familiar Moroccan politics, and I feel I gained perspective.
3.5
September 6, 2020
All the characters make choices and are forced to live with the consequences of their decisions often with regret. Well-written and a quick read with very interesting characters.
October 26, 2018
#LitWorld2018GB Morocco
Strong plot, crystalline writing
Strong plot, crystalline writing
April 30, 2021
3.5 stars
October 3, 2023
I came across this book in my quest to read stories about other countries that weren't directly about the culture. Although set in Morocco, this novel universally captures the internal and external struggles we face when we strive for a better life, perhaps not realizing that the one we had was the best all along.
March 30, 2010
Secret Son tells the story of Youseff El Mekki.
He has grown up in the slums of Casablanca with his mother, and now he is going to college, working and dreaming of a better life.
He believes that his father died in an accident, before he was born, before he had a chance to marry his mother. But he discovers that story is not true, it was a fabrication by his mother to try to protect them both. His father is very much alive.
Indeed he is a wealthy, if somewhat shady, businessman. A man who has a daughter, who is asserting her independence from her parents, and a man who has always wanted a son.
His father welcomes his son, installs him in a luxury flat, and finds him a job. And Youseff falls in with his plan, neglects his studies, his friends his mother.
The trouble is, his father tells no-one else about his new-found son. Well how could he? And, inevitably, when things go wrong Youssef has a long way to fall.
His mother stands by him, supports him, but when he falls in with bad company that may not be enough to save.
It’s a simple story, but one built on classic lines. And it drew me in from the very first page and held me, swiftly turning the pages, until the very end.
Laila Lalami writes lovely, clear and elegant prose, and her story is very well-balanced. Plenty to hold the interest without there ever being too much to keep track of, and everything that is there is needed to make the story complete.
She evokes both the poor and the wealthy streets of Casablanca simply but very, very effectively.
But most of all this is a story driven by its characters, and they worked very well. Youssef was a terribly believable young man. I admired his mother, and felt for her as her son uncovered her secret and moved away from her, not really understanding that she had done her best for him, had given him so much. I cared less for his father, but his behaviour was understandable, if not likeable.
And if I have a small criticism, it was maybe that the characters, what they said, what they did, was often a little predictable. They almost invariably did exactly what I was expecting. And, of course, people often do just that, but just one or two gentle twists could have enriched the story.
This is a book with a lot to say. About the effects of lies told and secrets kept to protect loved ones. About class divisions and the way they determine and restrict lives. And, most of all, about loss, loyalty, and love.
It says it very well, with compassion but no sentimentality or preaching.
Secret Son is accomplished, and very readable, first novel.
It’s a book that I am pleased to have discovered, thanks to its longlisting for this year’s Orange Prize. I think its certainly worthy of that place, and that maybe it has the potential to cross over to a wider audience.
I’m not sure though that the extra star quality needed to make the shortlist is there -but it’s a first novel, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Laila Lalami’s name there before too long.
He has grown up in the slums of Casablanca with his mother, and now he is going to college, working and dreaming of a better life.
He believes that his father died in an accident, before he was born, before he had a chance to marry his mother. But he discovers that story is not true, it was a fabrication by his mother to try to protect them both. His father is very much alive.
Indeed he is a wealthy, if somewhat shady, businessman. A man who has a daughter, who is asserting her independence from her parents, and a man who has always wanted a son.
His father welcomes his son, installs him in a luxury flat, and finds him a job. And Youseff falls in with his plan, neglects his studies, his friends his mother.
The trouble is, his father tells no-one else about his new-found son. Well how could he? And, inevitably, when things go wrong Youssef has a long way to fall.
His mother stands by him, supports him, but when he falls in with bad company that may not be enough to save.
It’s a simple story, but one built on classic lines. And it drew me in from the very first page and held me, swiftly turning the pages, until the very end.
Laila Lalami writes lovely, clear and elegant prose, and her story is very well-balanced. Plenty to hold the interest without there ever being too much to keep track of, and everything that is there is needed to make the story complete.
She evokes both the poor and the wealthy streets of Casablanca simply but very, very effectively.
But most of all this is a story driven by its characters, and they worked very well. Youssef was a terribly believable young man. I admired his mother, and felt for her as her son uncovered her secret and moved away from her, not really understanding that she had done her best for him, had given him so much. I cared less for his father, but his behaviour was understandable, if not likeable.
And if I have a small criticism, it was maybe that the characters, what they said, what they did, was often a little predictable. They almost invariably did exactly what I was expecting. And, of course, people often do just that, but just one or two gentle twists could have enriched the story.
This is a book with a lot to say. About the effects of lies told and secrets kept to protect loved ones. About class divisions and the way they determine and restrict lives. And, most of all, about loss, loyalty, and love.
It says it very well, with compassion but no sentimentality or preaching.
Secret Son is accomplished, and very readable, first novel.
It’s a book that I am pleased to have discovered, thanks to its longlisting for this year’s Orange Prize. I think its certainly worthy of that place, and that maybe it has the potential to cross over to a wider audience.
I’m not sure though that the extra star quality needed to make the shortlist is there -but it’s a first novel, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Laila Lalami’s name there before too long.
June 8, 2009
Youssef El-Mekki grew up in Casablanca, in the slums of Hay An Najat where houseflies "grazed on piles of trash, competing with cows and sheep for tea grounds, vegetable peels, and empty containers of yogurt." One young man by circumstance, another by birthright, at nineteen Youssef learns shocking details about his real father that thrust him into a world of sudden luxuries, luxuries that at once elevate his circumstances and separate him from the places and people he loves.
Amal Amrani, by contrast, grew up a daughter of privilege and means. When she moves to the States and defies her wealthy parents' wishes, she is cut off both emotionally and financially. Later, in a gesture of reconciliation and renewed support, her parents cross the ocean to witness her graduation. Amal holds the door open for them at the end of a visit, "forgetting that Moroccans do not open doors for departing guests for fear of giving the impression that the guests are unwelcome." It is a striking symbol of how much her new life has changed her.
Exhibiting two very different approaches to filial duty, Amal reluctantly returns to Casablanca to reestablish her position in the family, leaving her new love behind in the States; Youssef embraces his newfound father's world of wealth and status, leaving his mother behind in the slums. Repercussions from the secret that Amal and Youssef have both borne for years--each without knowing it--ultimately cause them to question the very foundations of duty, loyalty, and love. In the end, both must choose. Both must declare their allegiance. Unfortunately for Youssef, his choice (which is no choice at all) hastens his descent into a shadowy religious underworld where faith is a weapon and all believers must be tested.
At its heart, Secret Son is a gorgeously rendered and heartbreaking tale of longing and belonging, of finding--and also leaving behind---the people and places we call home.
Amal Amrani, by contrast, grew up a daughter of privilege and means. When she moves to the States and defies her wealthy parents' wishes, she is cut off both emotionally and financially. Later, in a gesture of reconciliation and renewed support, her parents cross the ocean to witness her graduation. Amal holds the door open for them at the end of a visit, "forgetting that Moroccans do not open doors for departing guests for fear of giving the impression that the guests are unwelcome." It is a striking symbol of how much her new life has changed her.
Exhibiting two very different approaches to filial duty, Amal reluctantly returns to Casablanca to reestablish her position in the family, leaving her new love behind in the States; Youssef embraces his newfound father's world of wealth and status, leaving his mother behind in the slums. Repercussions from the secret that Amal and Youssef have both borne for years--each without knowing it--ultimately cause them to question the very foundations of duty, loyalty, and love. In the end, both must choose. Both must declare their allegiance. Unfortunately for Youssef, his choice (which is no choice at all) hastens his descent into a shadowy religious underworld where faith is a weapon and all believers must be tested.
At its heart, Secret Son is a gorgeously rendered and heartbreaking tale of longing and belonging, of finding--and also leaving behind---the people and places we call home.
September 27, 2022
I find it difficult to write negative reviews, after all, a novel is not just a list of words on a page but someone's heart, soul and lived experiences projected into a book through the medium of many years of hard work. However, Secret Son seems to be written for an audience that has had little exposure to the world outside their immediate experience. The descriptions are predictable, the characters fall neatly into stereotypes, and the themes covered are not dealt with enough delicacy to give the nuanced insight that Morocco deserves.
I was excited to read a novel set in Morocco, given that there are so few out there, but this novel tried to tackle far too many issues (e.g. class distinction, post-colonial French influence, infidelity, Tamazight v Arab tensions (which may have been over-egged), Westernisation and female empowerment). By tackling so many topics, it really sacrificed any major guiding principle or theme. The same can be said for the characters, there were so many different stories, plot-lines and character arcs that, instead of being invested in all of them, you were left slightly indifferent to all of their plights.
One major storyline gripe I have is that many actions of many of the characters seem motiveless. For example, why did Maati betray all his friends? Why did Amal come back to Morocco seeking her brother, and then give up so easily? Why did Nabil shut out Youssef so easily? For empathy to be cultivated in a novel, the reader needs to have some sense of the character's decision-making framework - this was absent throughout the novel.
Overall, a similar novel would have a lot of potential if it decides to dive deep rather than wade superficially in shallow waters.
I was excited to read a novel set in Morocco, given that there are so few out there, but this novel tried to tackle far too many issues (e.g. class distinction, post-colonial French influence, infidelity, Tamazight v Arab tensions (which may have been over-egged), Westernisation and female empowerment). By tackling so many topics, it really sacrificed any major guiding principle or theme. The same can be said for the characters, there were so many different stories, plot-lines and character arcs that, instead of being invested in all of them, you were left slightly indifferent to all of their plights.
One major storyline gripe I have is that many actions of many of the characters seem motiveless. For example, why did Maati betray all his friends? Why did Amal come back to Morocco seeking her brother, and then give up so easily? Why did Nabil shut out Youssef so easily? For empathy to be cultivated in a novel, the reader needs to have some sense of the character's decision-making framework - this was absent throughout the novel.
Overall, a similar novel would have a lot of potential if it decides to dive deep rather than wade superficially in shallow waters.
October 3, 2009
Meh. Another lackluster choice for Seattle Reads (this is the pick for 2010). I really can't see what the book groups will have to talk about except (as one of my colleagues who shall remain unnamed commented) all the ways this book doesn't work. As a family drama/tragedy it's not bad reading, especially the mother/son relationship (I felt that the father/daughter relationship was completely predictable and embodied all of the worst cliches about patriarchal societies). But the social critiques and the terrorist theme felt forced and tacked on, and didn't provide any compelling insights into the psychology of a potential terrorist in a Muslim society. Seattle, it's probably not worth your time. . .
July 2, 2019
Trigger warnings: violence, murder.
This was...fine? But at the same time, I just sort of didn't really care. Basically, it's the story of a poor kid who ends up plucked from the slums to live the high life only to be dumped back in the slums again. But really, it's less about that and more about the hopelessness of the extremely poor and how easy it is for them - particularly young men - to be manipulated into radicalism and extremism. And frankly, if it had focused less on his experiences of becoming rich and more on the other stuff, I would have enjoyed this more than I did.
That said, it was a pretty compelling story, so...*shrug*
This was...fine? But at the same time, I just sort of didn't really care. Basically, it's the story of a poor kid who ends up plucked from the slums to live the high life only to be dumped back in the slums again. But really, it's less about that and more about the hopelessness of the extremely poor and how easy it is for them - particularly young men - to be manipulated into radicalism and extremism. And frankly, if it had focused less on his experiences of becoming rich and more on the other stuff, I would have enjoyed this more than I did.
That said, it was a pretty compelling story, so...*shrug*
April 19, 2010
Bleh. I'm surprised this book has received so many stars. While the story was decent (sort of), the writing certainly wasn't - seemed kind of amateurish.
September 21, 2018
This one ended up being a 3.5 stars for me, rounded up from 3 because the writing is just lovely, and I could imagine myself walking through the streets of Casablanca, both parts of the city described in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two parts of the book, but found the last part rushed, and also that it fit together just a little bit too well (more on that below).
Youssef lives with his mother in a tiny tinned-roof shack in the slum of Hay an Najat in Casablanca. For most of his young life he has believed that his father died when he was young and that his mother was a widow, working hard as a hospital clerk to ensure he would be able to go to school and make a life for himself. But he suddenly finds out that not only is his father alive, he is also an extremely well off and prominent business man who lives in the “better” part of Casablanca. When Youssef finally reveals himself to his father he is surprised that he takes him under his wing, as long as he stays a secret until his father is ready to introduce him to his world. At the same time Youssef leaves his friends, his university classes, and even his mother for this new life, but all ends abruptly in a way that leaves Youssef with no choice other than to go back to where he came from.
At the same time there is a lot of civil unrest in the universities, students are tired of the massive divide between the wealthy and the poor, with no way to climb up the ladder. Corruption is rampant, and “the Party” (radical Islamic political party) is also make waves in the slums, bringing much needed help to those in need, and gaining sympathy and believers from those who have been deceived by more liberal politicians and a more liberal take on religion.
I loved how Secret Son is a coming of age novel for someone who has always felt slightly out of place, and who navigates two worlds on a fine tightrope, always worried about when he will fall off. Laila Lalami provides a great overview of a Morocco on the brink of something bigger, the surface cracking, and people beginning to look for a better way of life. But I did find that the road towards extremism and ultimately terrorism was too fast and too easy. There was something lacking in that storyline, I can’t exactly put my finger on what exactly, but I felt a little disappointed. I think I needed a little more development when it came to Youssef’s choices in terms of fundamentalism. I think the novel could easily have been another 50 pages, allowing for more time to develop this part of the story, and less need for everything to “fit” so perfectly together.
Secret Son is a story of borders within borders, and the lines that we draw around ourselves and others, what we deem acceptable and not acceptable. It is also a great portrayal of the swaying winds of Morocco, where the liberal, the corrupt, and the seemingly well-meaning religious fundamentalists are all shrouded by the same cloth really: they protect what is theirs and covet what they think should be theirs.
#ReadAfrica2018 - Morocco
Youssef lives with his mother in a tiny tinned-roof shack in the slum of Hay an Najat in Casablanca. For most of his young life he has believed that his father died when he was young and that his mother was a widow, working hard as a hospital clerk to ensure he would be able to go to school and make a life for himself. But he suddenly finds out that not only is his father alive, he is also an extremely well off and prominent business man who lives in the “better” part of Casablanca. When Youssef finally reveals himself to his father he is surprised that he takes him under his wing, as long as he stays a secret until his father is ready to introduce him to his world. At the same time Youssef leaves his friends, his university classes, and even his mother for this new life, but all ends abruptly in a way that leaves Youssef with no choice other than to go back to where he came from.
At the same time there is a lot of civil unrest in the universities, students are tired of the massive divide between the wealthy and the poor, with no way to climb up the ladder. Corruption is rampant, and “the Party” (radical Islamic political party) is also make waves in the slums, bringing much needed help to those in need, and gaining sympathy and believers from those who have been deceived by more liberal politicians and a more liberal take on religion.
I loved how Secret Son is a coming of age novel for someone who has always felt slightly out of place, and who navigates two worlds on a fine tightrope, always worried about when he will fall off. Laila Lalami provides a great overview of a Morocco on the brink of something bigger, the surface cracking, and people beginning to look for a better way of life. But I did find that the road towards extremism and ultimately terrorism was too fast and too easy. There was something lacking in that storyline, I can’t exactly put my finger on what exactly, but I felt a little disappointed. I think I needed a little more development when it came to Youssef’s choices in terms of fundamentalism. I think the novel could easily have been another 50 pages, allowing for more time to develop this part of the story, and less need for everything to “fit” so perfectly together.
Secret Son is a story of borders within borders, and the lines that we draw around ourselves and others, what we deem acceptable and not acceptable. It is also a great portrayal of the swaying winds of Morocco, where the liberal, the corrupt, and the seemingly well-meaning religious fundamentalists are all shrouded by the same cloth really: they protect what is theirs and covet what they think should be theirs.
#ReadAfrica2018 - Morocco
April 9, 2017
This is a rich and complex novel. The characters are vivid and inherently tied to an engaging plot. I love the sense of place it creates, setting and emotion-wise. I do have to say that the ending felt like a cop out. It seemed like the author had come to the conclusion that any ending that resolved the novel would be a cheap trick and just decided to end it without really providing any sense of change. They were doomed at the beginning and they were doomed at the end. It just seemed to make less sense at the end, but maybe that's just me.
April 30, 2025
An amazing story set in Morocco, which explores the injustices of society, between the have and have-nots and how despair and hopelessness can lead to involvement with fundamentalists. In the end the protagonist was just a bit player in a much larger scenario.
I’m surprised this book did not garner much attention. It gives an insight into a beautiful country which is besieged by political problems, corruption, poverty and unemployment of the youth. Behind its glossy tourist sights, the reality of daily life is harsh.
I’m surprised this book did not garner much attention. It gives an insight into a beautiful country which is besieged by political problems, corruption, poverty and unemployment of the youth. Behind its glossy tourist sights, the reality of daily life is harsh.
June 18, 2025
The story was interesting but too fast-paced, in my opinion. Considering the heavy and important topics it covered, it would have benefited from going more in-depth and letting the plot unfold naturally. I didn’t like how it skipped two years into the future from one page to the next. The characters were so unlikable. I honestly couldn’t stand the main character. Only good thing was that it was only 300 pages long.
April 13, 2020
The way of even the most justifiable revolutions is prepared by personal impulses discussed into creeds. - Joseph Conrad, The Secret Agent
Read more: https://storywala.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Read more: https://storywala.blogspot.com/2020/0...
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