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The Hand of Iman
In an unnamed African country devoured by rampant urbanization and haunted by the mirages of Western prosperity, where for a few CFA francs a child can be bought and sold for slavery, Toumani's earliest education is in the tolerance of suffering. He endures one master then the next, holding his survival—his very self—with open hands.
For Iman, a black and white biracial boy with an elusive presence, the only viable option appears to be an escape to bountiful Europe, where everything must be easier. Obsessed with this idyllic elsewhere to the point of losing himself completely, he remains, for those close to him, an object of fascination difficult to define.
When Iman reaches out his hand to rescue Toumani from certain death, he sets in motion a friendship that may satisfy their need for connection but cannot fundamentally change their circumstances. What is the point of their survival without hope for a more livable future? And what happens to them when they both love the same girl?
In this stunning translation of Ryad Assani-Razaki's award-winning debut novel, dreaming is luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
For Iman, a black and white biracial boy with an elusive presence, the only viable option appears to be an escape to bountiful Europe, where everything must be easier. Obsessed with this idyllic elsewhere to the point of losing himself completely, he remains, for those close to him, an object of fascination difficult to define.
When Iman reaches out his hand to rescue Toumani from certain death, he sets in motion a friendship that may satisfy their need for connection but cannot fundamentally change their circumstances. What is the point of their survival without hope for a more livable future? And what happens to them when they both love the same girl?
In this stunning translation of Ryad Assani-Razaki's award-winning debut novel, dreaming is luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2025
Oh my goodness, this book really impacted me. I feel almost haunted by it.
It tells the story of Toumani and Iman, two friends growing up in an unnamed country in sub-Saharan Africa. Toumani was sold by his father when he was six years old, abused and crippled, and saved by the outstretched arm of Iman, a young biracial boy being raised by his grandmother. We see their existence through their eyes, and that of the people around them: Iman's mother and half brother, his grandmother, Toumani's crush Alissa.
The youth of this country, growing up on the streets, have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Injustice reigns.The book explores faith and the loss of it, forsakenness, misery. Choices, and whether or not they are ours to make, whether we are washing our hands of responsibility by saying we have none. Children are forced to grow up too soon, unable to dream of a better future. Some turn to gangs, some to prostitution, to destitution, and Iman turns to escape: he decides he is going to get to Europe.
This book is dark, it is tense, it is intense. Lots of content warnings for lots of kinds of violence.
If you can stomach it, this is an incredibly impactful read. The characters are intricately crafted, and seeing the same unfolding events through their different eyes, the descent into madness and monstrosity, creates a level of suspense that I would expect to find in a thriller.
4.5 stars
This was an ARC of an English translation, and the original was published in French in 2011. thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for this ARC to read and review.
It tells the story of Toumani and Iman, two friends growing up in an unnamed country in sub-Saharan Africa. Toumani was sold by his father when he was six years old, abused and crippled, and saved by the outstretched arm of Iman, a young biracial boy being raised by his grandmother. We see their existence through their eyes, and that of the people around them: Iman's mother and half brother, his grandmother, Toumani's crush Alissa.
The youth of this country, growing up on the streets, have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Injustice reigns.The book explores faith and the loss of it, forsakenness, misery. Choices, and whether or not they are ours to make, whether we are washing our hands of responsibility by saying we have none. Children are forced to grow up too soon, unable to dream of a better future. Some turn to gangs, some to prostitution, to destitution, and Iman turns to escape: he decides he is going to get to Europe.
This book is dark, it is tense, it is intense. Lots of content warnings for lots of kinds of violence.
If you can stomach it, this is an incredibly impactful read. The characters are intricately crafted, and seeing the same unfolding events through their different eyes, the descent into madness and monstrosity, creates a level of suspense that I would expect to find in a thriller.
4.5 stars
This was an ARC of an English translation, and the original was published in French in 2011. thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for this ARC to read and review.
April 9, 2022
Iman jest moim pierwszym spotkaniem z literaturą Beninu. Ryad Assani-Razaki jest informatykiem, który aktualnie mieszka w Kanadzie, ale urodził się i wychował w Afryce. W swojej powieści pisze o problemie dzieci wychowywanych przez ulice, a szerzej pacząc, o biedzie.
Na początku powieści poznajemy chłopca o imieniu Toumani, który zostaje sprzedany przez rodziców do miasta. Jest on jednym z licznego rodzeństwa, a jego rodzice zostają zapewne zmuszeni do tego kroku przez biedę, choć czytelnik nie poznaje szczegółów. Toumani trafia do domu bogatej kobiety, gdzie poznaje inne dzieci, nie zostaje tam jednak długo. Ponownie zostaje sprzedany do domu oprawcy, który maltretuje dziecko i zostawia pół-żywe w kanale. I wtedy poznaje Imana - to on ratuje Toumaniego i pomaga mu dojść do zdrowia. Ojciec Imana jest białym Francuzem, który już opuścił Benin, ale chłopak to jarzmo będzie nosił całe życie. Wśród narratorów powieści znajdą się też Alisa, Zainab, Hadja i Desiree. Alisa należała do dzieci, które mieszkały u kobiety, która kupiła Toumaniego, natomiast Hadja to babka, Zainab matka a Desire brat Imana. Na podstawie opowieści tych wszystkich osób poznajemy postać tytułowego bohatera.
Ciąg dalszy: http://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.c...
Na początku powieści poznajemy chłopca o imieniu Toumani, który zostaje sprzedany przez rodziców do miasta. Jest on jednym z licznego rodzeństwa, a jego rodzice zostają zapewne zmuszeni do tego kroku przez biedę, choć czytelnik nie poznaje szczegółów. Toumani trafia do domu bogatej kobiety, gdzie poznaje inne dzieci, nie zostaje tam jednak długo. Ponownie zostaje sprzedany do domu oprawcy, który maltretuje dziecko i zostawia pół-żywe w kanale. I wtedy poznaje Imana - to on ratuje Toumaniego i pomaga mu dojść do zdrowia. Ojciec Imana jest białym Francuzem, który już opuścił Benin, ale chłopak to jarzmo będzie nosił całe życie. Wśród narratorów powieści znajdą się też Alisa, Zainab, Hadja i Desiree. Alisa należała do dzieci, które mieszkały u kobiety, która kupiła Toumaniego, natomiast Hadja to babka, Zainab matka a Desire brat Imana. Na podstawie opowieści tych wszystkich osób poznajemy postać tytułowego bohatera.
Ciąg dalszy: http://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.c...
December 23, 2020
Ce livre m’a beaucoup impressionnée, choquée et attristée, du début à la fin.
Il contient beaucoup de petites sagesses et réflexions sur la vie, l’amitié, le destin, les possibilités de chacun.e. En même temps il est très sombre, les événements m’ont souvent faits mal, mentalement et même physiquement.
Il s’agit de la vie ou plutôt de la survie des jeunes dans un pays subsaharien, peut-être le pays de l’auteur, le Benin.
Toumani est vendu très jeune par son père pour servir dans la grande ville, où il est abusé et presque tué par son maitre. Il survit grâce à Iman et avec l’aide de sa grand-mère, mais il gardera des conséquences physiques et mentales toute sa vie. Des conséquences qui vont le conduire jusqu’à un drame pendant lequel il perd tout contrôle.
Iman a dû quitter la famille de sa mère pour des raisons d’harmonie avec le mari de sa mère. Son père était un blanc qui a quitté sa mère avant la naissance d’Iman. Iman a encore de la chance de pouvoir vivre chez sa grand-mère, mais il cherchera sa place dans cette vie africaine sans la trouver.
Alissa a aussi été vendue pour servir, pour subvenir aux besoins d’une famille qu’elle ne connait même plus. Un jour elle décide de briser ses chaînes, mais ne trouvera pas une meilleure vie en liberté.
A part ces histoires entremêlées de ces 3 jeunes, le lecteur apprend l’histoire de la mère et grand-mère d’Iman, les deux aussi tristes et choquantes qui montrent le peu d’influence que les femmes ont eu sur leur propre vie dans les années 60 et plus tard en Afrique.
L’histoire est racontée par une nouvelle voix pour chaque chapitre. Par contre, Iman, qui est le centre de toutes les histoires et qui touche tous les personnages, n’est pas donné sa propre voix. Il reste donc flou et mystérieux jusqu’à la fin. Et peut-être il sera le seul à réussir à fuir la misère de cette vie en Afrique…
« Le problème avec la liberté, c’est qu’elle ne peut s’apprécier qu’à petites doses. En excès, elle devient une autre cage. »
« L’amitié est un grand seau vide. À chaque action qu’on accomplit, on y verse un peu d’eau fraîche. »
« Cette souffrance, nous ne la vaincrons pas. Elle coule dans notre sang, donne leur rythme à nos cœurs. »
« La véritable question n’est donc pas « Que veux-tu ? » mais « Que peux-tu te permettre de vouloir ? ». Beaucoup ne le savent pas, mais même l’ambition est un luxe. »
Il contient beaucoup de petites sagesses et réflexions sur la vie, l’amitié, le destin, les possibilités de chacun.e. En même temps il est très sombre, les événements m’ont souvent faits mal, mentalement et même physiquement.
Il s’agit de la vie ou plutôt de la survie des jeunes dans un pays subsaharien, peut-être le pays de l’auteur, le Benin.
Toumani est vendu très jeune par son père pour servir dans la grande ville, où il est abusé et presque tué par son maitre. Il survit grâce à Iman et avec l’aide de sa grand-mère, mais il gardera des conséquences physiques et mentales toute sa vie. Des conséquences qui vont le conduire jusqu’à un drame pendant lequel il perd tout contrôle.
Iman a dû quitter la famille de sa mère pour des raisons d’harmonie avec le mari de sa mère. Son père était un blanc qui a quitté sa mère avant la naissance d’Iman. Iman a encore de la chance de pouvoir vivre chez sa grand-mère, mais il cherchera sa place dans cette vie africaine sans la trouver.
Alissa a aussi été vendue pour servir, pour subvenir aux besoins d’une famille qu’elle ne connait même plus. Un jour elle décide de briser ses chaînes, mais ne trouvera pas une meilleure vie en liberté.
A part ces histoires entremêlées de ces 3 jeunes, le lecteur apprend l’histoire de la mère et grand-mère d’Iman, les deux aussi tristes et choquantes qui montrent le peu d’influence que les femmes ont eu sur leur propre vie dans les années 60 et plus tard en Afrique.
L’histoire est racontée par une nouvelle voix pour chaque chapitre. Par contre, Iman, qui est le centre de toutes les histoires et qui touche tous les personnages, n’est pas donné sa propre voix. Il reste donc flou et mystérieux jusqu’à la fin. Et peut-être il sera le seul à réussir à fuir la misère de cette vie en Afrique…
« Le problème avec la liberté, c’est qu’elle ne peut s’apprécier qu’à petites doses. En excès, elle devient une autre cage. »
« L’amitié est un grand seau vide. À chaque action qu’on accomplit, on y verse un peu d’eau fraîche. »
« Cette souffrance, nous ne la vaincrons pas. Elle coule dans notre sang, donne leur rythme à nos cœurs. »
« La véritable question n’est donc pas « Que veux-tu ? » mais « Que peux-tu te permettre de vouloir ? ». Beaucoup ne le savent pas, mais même l’ambition est un luxe. »
December 2, 2025
There is a lot to love about this story. The three main characters are excellent, and most of the plot is very well done.
But I felt disappointed in most of the last act, once the three of them know each other. It felt like everyone was deliberately making the worst possible choice, and we are simply required to accept that is how it goes for these three, so damaged by the world that they are.
But I felt disappointed in most of the last act, once the three of them know each other. It felt like everyone was deliberately making the worst possible choice, and we are simply required to accept that is how it goes for these three, so damaged by the world that they are.
February 10, 2026
Reading the world #19
Beautifully written, even though it’s about pain, jealousy and injustice! Child abuse, poverty, misery, jealousy, but love always finds its way, between friends, family or even strangers!
Its the story of kids growing up in sever harsh environments, and how that can affect them differently. While it instilled in Iman the sense to become the protector, it created in Toumani blind jealousy where he couldn’t define himself away from Iman. And the story is weaved between those two opposite yet very close characters.
Beautifully written, even though it’s about pain, jealousy and injustice! Child abuse, poverty, misery, jealousy, but love always finds its way, between friends, family or even strangers!
Its the story of kids growing up in sever harsh environments, and how that can affect them differently. While it instilled in Iman the sense to become the protector, it created in Toumani blind jealousy where he couldn’t define himself away from Iman. And the story is weaved between those two opposite yet very close characters.
November 21, 2019
Iman, der Erstlingsroman Ryad Assani-Razakis, einem IT-ler aus Benin, der inzwischen in Kanada lebt, ist die Geschichte dreier Jugendlicher, die ihren Platz im Leben suchen, und deren Geschichten auf vielfältige Art und Weise miteinander verknüpft sind.
Toumani, von seinem Vater verkauft, wird von seinem “Arbeitgeber” verstümmelt und ausgesetzt; Alissa arbeitet schon seit Kindertagen um ihre Familie zu unterstützen; Iman, Sohn einer Schwarzen und eines Weißen, hat den großen Wunsch, nach Europa auszuwandern.
Die Erzählperspektive wechselt mit jedem Kapitel – nur Iman, der Titelheld, bleibt ohne eigene Stimme und wir lernen ihn nur durch die restlichen Charaktere kennen.
Iman ist kein fröhliches Buch, aber Assani-Razaki zeichnet ein so realistisches Bild von Verzweiflung, traumatischen Erlebnissen, Freundschaft und Hoffnung, dass es schwer fällt, dieses Buch aus der Hand zu legen. Es gibt keine Helden in dieser Geschichte, es gibt nur vom Leben gezeichnete junge Menschen, die nicht immer richtige Entscheidungen treffen.
Komplette Rezension
Toumani, von seinem Vater verkauft, wird von seinem “Arbeitgeber” verstümmelt und ausgesetzt; Alissa arbeitet schon seit Kindertagen um ihre Familie zu unterstützen; Iman, Sohn einer Schwarzen und eines Weißen, hat den großen Wunsch, nach Europa auszuwandern.
Die Erzählperspektive wechselt mit jedem Kapitel – nur Iman, der Titelheld, bleibt ohne eigene Stimme und wir lernen ihn nur durch die restlichen Charaktere kennen.
Iman ist kein fröhliches Buch, aber Assani-Razaki zeichnet ein so realistisches Bild von Verzweiflung, traumatischen Erlebnissen, Freundschaft und Hoffnung, dass es schwer fällt, dieses Buch aus der Hand zu legen. Es gibt keine Helden in dieser Geschichte, es gibt nur vom Leben gezeichnete junge Menschen, die nicht immer richtige Entscheidungen treffen.
Komplette Rezension
January 9, 2012
Très bon livre sur l'histoire d'un jeune Africain métissé, simple, vrai et honnête, qui, dès son plus jeune âge, ne rêve que de liberté. Ses rêves sont contagieux et influencent ceux qui le connaissent et qui l'aiment, mais ce n'est pas tout le monde qui peut accepter d'espérer des rêves destinés à être déçus ou qui ont le courage de les réaliser.
Roman rédigé à la première personne, il laisse voir tour à tour les voix des personnages qui éclairent le destin d'Iman. Tous les titres de chapitre sont constitués d'un seul mot qui clôt également chaque chapitre; ils commencent par la lettre I, pour Iman, et se terminent par une lettre formant l'acronyme d'immigration.
C'est un très bon roman sur la liberté et l'esclavage, la prison que chacun se crée et dont on cherche (ou non) à se libérer. Parfois, les souhaits sur le point de se réaliser sont trop beaux, et doivent être détruits à grands coup d'imbécilité, d'aveuglement et d'ignorance.
Roman rédigé à la première personne, il laisse voir tour à tour les voix des personnages qui éclairent le destin d'Iman. Tous les titres de chapitre sont constitués d'un seul mot qui clôt également chaque chapitre; ils commencent par la lettre I, pour Iman, et se terminent par une lettre formant l'acronyme d'immigration.
C'est un très bon roman sur la liberté et l'esclavage, la prison que chacun se crée et dont on cherche (ou non) à se libérer. Parfois, les souhaits sur le point de se réaliser sont trop beaux, et doivent être détruits à grands coup d'imbécilité, d'aveuglement et d'ignorance.
August 3, 2019
très bon livre! Je le recommande à 10000%
August 10, 2025
“The Hand of Iman” by Ryad Assani-Razaki is a powerful and emotionally charged tale that explores themes of friendship, race, poverty, and identity.
Set in an unnamed African country, where children are sold for money, Toumani has only ever known suffering as he moves from one master to the next. Treated as less than human and forced to endure abuse at the hands of those who own him, Toumani tries his hardest to survive and retain his identity.
Things change for Toumani when he meets Iman, a biracial man of African and European descent who desires to find an escape to Europe, where he believes life must be easier. Iman loses himself to his obsession with finding a way of leaving his home for this idyllic but unreachable place, to the point where those close to him find him both fascinating and elusive.
When Iman saves Toumani from death, the two form an inseparable bond, one they both needed, but one that doesn’t change their circumstances. They both are obsessed with their futures, ones that seem pointless if they’re not livable. As they try and navigate the path set out before them, they both fall in love with the same girl who sets them on a trajectory neither one of them could see coming.
Wow. An emotional, heartbreaking, whirlwind of a story that will leave readers gasping for air by the end. Assani-Razaki paints a vivid landscape of the poverty and morally corrupt country Iman and Toumani live. A place where dreams go to die, where there’s never enough money for the working man, and children are sold for a few extra francs to get by. Iman’s desire to flee to Europe, where there are more opportunities and a better life, makes so much sense, even from the first few pages when children are being sold to masters, only to live out a bleak and painful life.
Some characters are more likable than others, but all of them come with their complexities and suffering. They stand out in this story, no matter how short a part they play, they are important in shaping the landscape of the country and have their own impact on the main characters that affects the choices they make, whether the main characters know it or not. Every person the reader meets is tangible and makes a lasting impression.
There are points when the trajectory of the story gets lost due to the strong details of the characters, and the purpose of the story becomes buried under the events of the characters and differing perspectives. Yet, because the characters are so three-dimensional, it almost doesn’t matter. So much happens to the characters that it’s easy to become invested in their lives and to follow wherever they go and through whatever happens to them, however horrifying and ugly.
This story touches on important themes, ones that make this a very impactful read with a long-lasting impression. I do not feel I can do it justice enough to describe them in this review, but it makes for an insightful and heartbreaking read. I highly suggest adding this book to your TBR lists and giving it a read once it’s published. The French version of “The Hand of Iman” by Ryad Assani-Razaki was published in 2011, but the English version is expected to be published on August 12th, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press Inc. (Arachnide Editions) for providing me with a free e-arc copy of this story and providing me with the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.
Set in an unnamed African country, where children are sold for money, Toumani has only ever known suffering as he moves from one master to the next. Treated as less than human and forced to endure abuse at the hands of those who own him, Toumani tries his hardest to survive and retain his identity.
Things change for Toumani when he meets Iman, a biracial man of African and European descent who desires to find an escape to Europe, where he believes life must be easier. Iman loses himself to his obsession with finding a way of leaving his home for this idyllic but unreachable place, to the point where those close to him find him both fascinating and elusive.
When Iman saves Toumani from death, the two form an inseparable bond, one they both needed, but one that doesn’t change their circumstances. They both are obsessed with their futures, ones that seem pointless if they’re not livable. As they try and navigate the path set out before them, they both fall in love with the same girl who sets them on a trajectory neither one of them could see coming.
Wow. An emotional, heartbreaking, whirlwind of a story that will leave readers gasping for air by the end. Assani-Razaki paints a vivid landscape of the poverty and morally corrupt country Iman and Toumani live. A place where dreams go to die, where there’s never enough money for the working man, and children are sold for a few extra francs to get by. Iman’s desire to flee to Europe, where there are more opportunities and a better life, makes so much sense, even from the first few pages when children are being sold to masters, only to live out a bleak and painful life.
Some characters are more likable than others, but all of them come with their complexities and suffering. They stand out in this story, no matter how short a part they play, they are important in shaping the landscape of the country and have their own impact on the main characters that affects the choices they make, whether the main characters know it or not. Every person the reader meets is tangible and makes a lasting impression.
There are points when the trajectory of the story gets lost due to the strong details of the characters, and the purpose of the story becomes buried under the events of the characters and differing perspectives. Yet, because the characters are so three-dimensional, it almost doesn’t matter. So much happens to the characters that it’s easy to become invested in their lives and to follow wherever they go and through whatever happens to them, however horrifying and ugly.
This story touches on important themes, ones that make this a very impactful read with a long-lasting impression. I do not feel I can do it justice enough to describe them in this review, but it makes for an insightful and heartbreaking read. I highly suggest adding this book to your TBR lists and giving it a read once it’s published. The French version of “The Hand of Iman” by Ryad Assani-Razaki was published in 2011, but the English version is expected to be published on August 12th, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press Inc. (Arachnide Editions) for providing me with a free e-arc copy of this story and providing me with the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.
February 5, 2019
Belle découverte que ce roman qui m'a ramené dans une autre vie, alors que je séjournais au Bénin, lieu où se déroule cette intrigue. Il est écrit comme un témoignage à plusieurs voix sur la vie d'Iman, un jeune métis qui a séduit ces personnages de son entourage (un petit garçon esclave jeté aux égouts par son maître, sa mère séduite et abandonnée par un Blanc de passage, sa grand-mère, son amoureuse), mais qui reste somme toute effacé. Ces voix sont les personnages principaux du roman. Leur vie psychique est intense, leur vie physique frappée par la violence ambiante. J'ai rapidement trouvé le niveau de langage inadéquat. Les voix s'expriment dans un langage sophistiqué - verbeux même - alors qu'elles sont le souffle de personnes quasi illettrées. Néanmoins, l'auteur maîtrise cette prose et trouve du ressort à chaque page, il nous entraine dans une spirale descendante, fidèle comme un miroir à une réalité qui existe malheureusement, avec comme seul espoir le mirage de l'immigration. Le seul personnage qui semblait tiré son épingle du jeu, ... je vous laisse découvrir pourquoi il ne la tirera pas, dans un dénouement qui déçoit tout de même un peu.
December 4, 2018
« On dit que le destin d’un homme est entre ses mains. Mensonge. Souvent, le destin n’est que la pointe d’une lance projetée depuis plusieurs générations. » Hadja, p. 42.
« Toute ma vie, j’ai essayé d’aider les gens, et finalement, j’ai compris. Cette souffrance, nous ne la vaincrons pas. Elle coule dans notre sang, donne leur rythme à nos cœurs. Non, nous ne la sentons même plus parce qu’elle s’est glissée sous notre peau. C’est elle, ce noir qui brille sous le soleil. Elle est nous. Et pourquoi? Parce qu’on a décidé qu’il en serait ainsi. » Iman à Toumani, pp. 167-168.
« Je me suis relevée et j’ai lissé les pans de ma robe. Puis je me suis retournée et j’ai regravi les dernières marches, mais j’avais l’impression d’avoir quatre-vingt ans. En effet, ne venais-je pas d’absorber la peine de plusieurs générations? J’ai tourné la poignée et poussé la porte. » Alyssa, p. 283.
« Toute ma vie, j’ai essayé d’aider les gens, et finalement, j’ai compris. Cette souffrance, nous ne la vaincrons pas. Elle coule dans notre sang, donne leur rythme à nos cœurs. Non, nous ne la sentons même plus parce qu’elle s’est glissée sous notre peau. C’est elle, ce noir qui brille sous le soleil. Elle est nous. Et pourquoi? Parce qu’on a décidé qu’il en serait ainsi. » Iman à Toumani, pp. 167-168.
« Je me suis relevée et j’ai lissé les pans de ma robe. Puis je me suis retournée et j’ai regravi les dernières marches, mais j’avais l’impression d’avoir quatre-vingt ans. En effet, ne venais-je pas d’absorber la peine de plusieurs générations? J’ai tourné la poignée et poussé la porte. » Alyssa, p. 283.
January 21, 2026
4.5 stars, rounded up.
This book has a lot of thought-provoking themes: child slavery, domestic abuse, inter-generational trauma, unquestioning faith and the power of (false) salvation by fleeing to a Western country. The characters were fleshed out well and the differences between them were interesting, showing that friendships are not always with like-minded people. I enjoyed the story; it was fast paced and riveting. The only reason I didn't give this a 5-star rating is because the ending felt a bit rushed and left me a bit confused. Can a strong bond between two boys/young men really be broken so easily by the presence of a girl they both desire? Alissa becoming the bone of contention to such an extent seemed a bit unrealistic, specially since neither boy explicitly showed his love for her. But overall, an excellent debut novel by this Beninese-Canadian author.
This book has a lot of thought-provoking themes: child slavery, domestic abuse, inter-generational trauma, unquestioning faith and the power of (false) salvation by fleeing to a Western country. The characters were fleshed out well and the differences between them were interesting, showing that friendships are not always with like-minded people. I enjoyed the story; it was fast paced and riveting. The only reason I didn't give this a 5-star rating is because the ending felt a bit rushed and left me a bit confused. Can a strong bond between two boys/young men really be broken so easily by the presence of a girl they both desire? Alissa becoming the bone of contention to such an extent seemed a bit unrealistic, specially since neither boy explicitly showed his love for her. But overall, an excellent debut novel by this Beninese-Canadian author.
December 8, 2020
J'aurai aimé pouvoir mettre 3.5 mais ce n'est pas possible. Un livre intéressant, dur car il montre la misère humaine dans les pays d'Afrique subsaharienne, la misère sociale, celle qui ronge les hommes petits à petits jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient plus vraiment humains. J'avais l'impression que c'était un livre d'espoir, l'amour vaincrait, celui qui veut quitter pour une vie meilleure réussirait, mais les dernières pages ont totalement détruit tout espoir et me font juste haïr encore plus le genre humain... Bref dur à lire, triste, mais bien écrit. J'aurai juste aimé en savoir plus sur les générations précédentes, Hadja et Zainab.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2026
J’ai été happée par la beauté de cette écriture pleine de lumière malgré la dureté des scènes décrites, bouleversantes .
J’avais du mal à décrocher du livre, captivée.
Le récit est tellement prenant.
Mais j’ai eu du mal à le finir. Le dernier tiers est une longue descente dans la souffrance, les malentendus sont durs à supporter et la fin, même si elle est bien ficelée, m’a laissée un peu déçue.
J’avais du mal à décrocher du livre, captivée.
Le récit est tellement prenant.
Mais j’ai eu du mal à le finir. Le dernier tiers est une longue descente dans la souffrance, les malentendus sont durs à supporter et la fin, même si elle est bien ficelée, m’a laissée un peu déçue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2013
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I discovered this book when I was visiting for the billionth times one of our local bookstore here in Canada. As the title suggested, this is the story of Iman, a young man leaving in a muslim African country that is never named throughout the book. “Iman” means faith in Arabic. The last letter of the chapter’s title formed the word Immigration, we get to learn that at the end of the book.
But first, as usual, a word about the author.
Ryad Assani-Razaki is a Benin born writer. He currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada as an IT professional. His first work “Deux cercles”, a collection of short stories, won the prize, “ Le prix Trillium”,in 2010. The novel we are discussing won “Le prix Robert-Cliché” in 2011, a prestigious prize in, Quebec, Canada.
Who is Iman? We get to know him through six characters in the books. Toumani the friend, Hadja the grandmother, Alissa the girlfriend, Desire the little brother and Zainab the mother. The themes in this novel are Islam in Africa, poverty, love, friendship, relation between black and white, identity, relation between half-black and black people, African societies in modern times, immigration, human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
The novel started with the story of Toumani. His father sold him to a lady who took him, to the city, to work as a servant. Toumani’s employer eats him savagely and left him to die in a pit. Iman is introduced to the reader for the first time ,when he discovered Toumani at the pit.
Let me touch on this point quickly. Middle class families, in African countries, employed people from the villages to clean, cook and take care of their homes. They are called “servant” or “boy”. Now, some person believe that those young men and women are modern-day slaves. Why is it the case? After all, they are paid, clothed and nourished. But as the story of Toumani illustrated very well, some of them are owned by their master, all the money they earned must be given to the master. Moreover, as in Toumani’s case, they are abused physically and psychologically. Now this bring me to the slave trade in the 16th century. I don’t see any differences between Toumani’s father who sold him to a lady for money and a king of the 16th century who sold some of his countrymen to the white man for alcohol. I will leave it here.
Iman is half African and half white. His father is a white expatriate who came to work in the country. In the novel, Iman seems to be aware that people treat him differently because of the color of his skin. He is being resent by some people, admire by others and envy by the rest. I think the feeling that shocked me the most was how her mother Zainab felt about him. Because she had a mixed son, people felt that she thought she was better than the rest of them. And, in some way, it fuelled her hate for her son. It is quite sad to see that black people are still defining themselves along the lines of white and colored people. Iman is a very complex character, vulnerable and strong at the same time. He seems to understand all that is happening around him.
Another interesting point is the relation between Zainab and Georges, the white expatriate. I think this chapter was the one that revolt me the most. It is, almost, always the same story. The white expatriates go to work in Africa without their families, find themselves beautiful local girls to live with and, at the end, they left them back to return to their families. Poverty plays a big role in this whole situation. Sometimes, it is just innocence that get the locals involved, sometimes, it is curiosity or the complex of inferiority. The outcome, though, is always the same. They are left with a child to face society alone.
Poverty is a recurrent theme in the novel. Because of poverty Toumani was sold by his father, Zainab was attracted to Georges the white expatriate, Alisssa left her village to come to the city, young people are leaving the country by any means to try their luck in the west and children are living in the streets.
I discovered this book when I was visiting for the billionth times one of our local bookstore here in Canada. As the title suggested, this is the story of Iman, a young man leaving in a muslim African country that is never named throughout the book. “Iman” means faith in Arabic. The last letter of the chapter’s title formed the word Immigration, we get to learn that at the end of the book.
But first, as usual, a word about the author.
Ryad Assani-Razaki is a Benin born writer. He currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada as an IT professional. His first work “Deux cercles”, a collection of short stories, won the prize, “ Le prix Trillium”,in 2010. The novel we are discussing won “Le prix Robert-Cliché” in 2011, a prestigious prize in, Quebec, Canada.
Who is Iman? We get to know him through six characters in the books. Toumani the friend, Hadja the grandmother, Alissa the girlfriend, Desire the little brother and Zainab the mother. The themes in this novel are Islam in Africa, poverty, love, friendship, relation between black and white, identity, relation between half-black and black people, African societies in modern times, immigration, human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
The novel started with the story of Toumani. His father sold him to a lady who took him, to the city, to work as a servant. Toumani’s employer eats him savagely and left him to die in a pit. Iman is introduced to the reader for the first time ,when he discovered Toumani at the pit.
Let me touch on this point quickly. Middle class families, in African countries, employed people from the villages to clean, cook and take care of their homes. They are called “servant” or “boy”. Now, some person believe that those young men and women are modern-day slaves. Why is it the case? After all, they are paid, clothed and nourished. But as the story of Toumani illustrated very well, some of them are owned by their master, all the money they earned must be given to the master. Moreover, as in Toumani’s case, they are abused physically and psychologically. Now this bring me to the slave trade in the 16th century. I don’t see any differences between Toumani’s father who sold him to a lady for money and a king of the 16th century who sold some of his countrymen to the white man for alcohol. I will leave it here.
Iman is half African and half white. His father is a white expatriate who came to work in the country. In the novel, Iman seems to be aware that people treat him differently because of the color of his skin. He is being resent by some people, admire by others and envy by the rest. I think the feeling that shocked me the most was how her mother Zainab felt about him. Because she had a mixed son, people felt that she thought she was better than the rest of them. And, in some way, it fuelled her hate for her son. It is quite sad to see that black people are still defining themselves along the lines of white and colored people. Iman is a very complex character, vulnerable and strong at the same time. He seems to understand all that is happening around him.
Another interesting point is the relation between Zainab and Georges, the white expatriate. I think this chapter was the one that revolt me the most. It is, almost, always the same story. The white expatriates go to work in Africa without their families, find themselves beautiful local girls to live with and, at the end, they left them back to return to their families. Poverty plays a big role in this whole situation. Sometimes, it is just innocence that get the locals involved, sometimes, it is curiosity or the complex of inferiority. The outcome, though, is always the same. They are left with a child to face society alone.
Poverty is a recurrent theme in the novel. Because of poverty Toumani was sold by his father, Zainab was attracted to Georges the white expatriate, Alisssa left her village to come to the city, young people are leaving the country by any means to try their luck in the west and children are living in the streets.
January 2, 2016
Un très, très bon livre. Un fiction sur l'immigration très touchante et qui fait ressentir l'Afrique de près sous un autre angle. À recommander absolument.
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