A review by ffn
Memory of Departure by Abdulrazak Gurnah

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

4.0

the only words i would describe this book with is tragic absurdity. it follows the story of a pure hearted/ soft person in his quest for stability. the mc lives such a hard life throughout the book, in the end when he says “it was the feeling of being found fault with that made me withdraw into silence.” that line broke me. his adaptability to abuse and trauma is beyond me because he just does and goes, no second thought behind it.

the ending is underwhelmingly heartwarming,

in my opinion he deserves peace that is long lasting and exaggerated, but yet again the story is a true reality of impoverished cities, with careless authority that is preoccupied with greed.