The Translator: a Memoir

by Daoud Hari

Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Taha Tariq · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book picked up from my favourite bookstore. The Maktaba Bookstore located in Old Montreal is a gem of a place. It gives, many, access to important books and stories that are simply not available elsewhere. This memoir is one of the many that I have picked up from there.

Daoud Hari describes the harrowing experience of his entire life crashing and falling apart as the Genocide of Darfur erupts. He is a tribesman that was driven from his home and using his knowledge of languages, attempted to tell the world about the atrocities that were being committed. He did this by providing translation and logistical support to western journalists.

This book places humans at the centre of these crises in a way that is genuinely heartbreaking and disturbing. The tone of the book is disconcerting. He describes horrors that would keep many awake with nightmares with a ‘matter of factness’ that is just disarming. I couldn’t help but want to continue reading these obviously important words, but finding simultaneously the energy draining out of me.

Make no mistake, this book is a heavy one. There are descriptions of torture, death, violence, rape, and all manner of occurrences during this genocide. In the face of genocides and brutality occurring across the world, books like these are important. This is a direct personal view of the conflict, from a survivor, that saw many others around him not survive.

There is a deep sense of shame I feel for this being really only the first and only exposure I have had to this crisis. Our so called superior western education conveniently ignores these genocides and their study. As that may create more pushback against the ongoing war crimes that we support with our eyes closed every day.

I was happy to see the mention of the colonial nature of many of these conflicts and the resource extraction that both western powers and China engage in. It’s important to frame this context in examining the genocide. I think Daoud does a phenomenal job in providing enough information to accomplish that while maintaining a focus on the humanity of the Zaghawa people.

I do think that the colonial nature of the conflict is mentioned but however considerably shallow. I don’t think that’s a dealbreaker because the book is predominantly written from the perspective of the people on the ground. I think this is a launching pad to further explore further and frame it more accurately within the broader system of imperialism, colonialism, and exploitation of African countries. Also Appendix 1 does a good job of expanding on this more than the text.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book. It’s a short accessible length, while packing in enough information. I never felt lost or like the writing was lacking. It is also important in contextualizing previous and current humanitarian crises across the globe. This should be required reading.

[Olie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for you to read when you have the time. The author does a great job explaining the setting and their customs to foreigners and people who don't know their culture. My favorite character would probably be Daoud Hari because of his heroic and noble actions. The pace of this book is very good and is just a well-rounded novel. I would recommend.

[Grant Beilke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting insight into Darfur, wonderfully written. I heard on the radio recently that the violence continues, I wish it weren't so.