A Riffian's Tune

BOOK REVIEW

This book was written in the form of an autobiographical novel, some of it is true and some fiction. The main character Jusef was born in 1950 but throughout the book there are no dates or time periods to follow making it impossible to follow his age or how long events such as his schooling took. This read is a very sad look into the lives of the people of Morrocco. The children have no childhood and go to work as soon as they are physically able to do a job. If a male child like Jusef insisted on attending school, he would be required to leave and make his own way at such a young age. Not having a time frame made it hard yet I am sure he started living on his own even before puberty. For females, they are sold off to a husband and his family making her their property. Females are abused, raped, only their hymen has any worth. That has not changed in the Arabic culture. This book has a great prose yet the story dragged in many parts. The most inspiring aspect of the book are the hopes and wants the male children have for a better life  beyond anything else, I ever read or seen. They will live in squalor, be malnourished, doing whatever it takes to survive obtaining themselves a better place in this world. Multiple aspects of the story are left unanswered. The book just comes to an end with no real conclusion. After reading and getting to know the main character you as a reader will be able to construct yourself a proper conclusion. This would be a favorable book for readers who are interested in that culture or wants to know about how that culture lives. 

LINKS
Author Website
Facebook Page
Benjamin Franklin Award

• Pages 448
• ISBN 0992648408
• Published October 2013
• Winner of the Nautilus Silver Award in the category of Multicultural/Indigenous
• Benjamin Franklin Digital Award Silver Honoree Winner

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