Arab of the Future 2: By author: Riad Sattouf Trans. Sam Taylor

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Two Roads; Illustrated edition edition (22 Sept. 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 978-1473638235

THE ARAB OF THE FUTURE, VOLUME 2

A CHILDHOOD IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1984-1985

 

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CONTINUATION OF RIAD SATTOUF’S INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED GRAPHIC MEMOIR.

THE UNFORGETTABLE STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY CHILDHOOD.

‘Wonderfully observed, funny, grim, sharp and sad. A masterpiece‘

Posy Simmonds

‘I joyously recommend this book to you’

Mark Haddon

‘I loved it‘

Rachel Cooke, Observer Graphic Book of the Month

‘The Marcel Proust of the illustrated form‘

Gary Perry, Foyles Staff Pick

The first volume of Riad Sattouf’s The Arab of the Future introduced young Riad as his family shuttled back and forth between France and the Middle East. 

Here is the continuation of his heart-rending, darkly comic story. Now settled in his father’s village of Ter Maaleh near Homs, Riad finally begins school, where he dedicates himself to becoming a true Syrian in the country of the dictator Hafez Al-Assad. 

Told simply yet with devastating effect, Riad’s story takes in the sweep of Middle Eastern life of the 1980s, but it is steered  by acutely observed small moments: the daily sadism of his schoolteachers, the cruelty and vulnerability of his fellow students, and the obsequiousness of his father in the company of those close to the regime. And as the family strains to fit in, one chilling, barbaric act drives the Sattoufs to take the most dramatic of steps. 

Immediate and gripping, The Arab of the Future 2 once again reveals the inner workings of a tormented country and a tormented family, delivered through Riad Sattouf ‘s dazzlingly original graphic style.

‘An object of consensual rapture’ – New Yorker

‘Laced with astute observations of human beings’ – Guardian

‘Marvellous… Sattouf records it all in an endearing cartoony style, his clean lines enhanced by discreet colour shading to indicate which country they’re living in at the time. His comic timing is immaculate, but there’s always an edge to his humour. Packing a host of unforgettable scenes, The Arab of the Future begs to be read in one long sitting‘ – Herald

‘Worth a shelf full of books about identity politics, history or political science’ – Hari Kunzru

‘A beautiful, funny, and important graphic memoir’ – Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home

‘Engrossing’ – New York Times Book Review

‘Captivating, compelling, informative and an amazing read… An important book. I will be recommending this to all our customers, a must read’ – Sheila O’Reilly, Dulwich Books

‘Drawn with remarkable flair and a winning visual style, Sattouf’s memoir is an incredible achievement.The Arab of the Future took me to places that, until now, I only really knew through headlines. Vital, funny andpoignant, it’s Sattouf’s focus on the common aspects of childhood that gives this book so much punch’ – Gary Perry, Foyles Staff Pick

‘Absolutely mesmerising… The Arab of the Future is a tremendously engaging story of family life. It’s also a fascinating personal insight into differing cultural attitudes, the physical reality of living under two distinct Arab leaders and how national/social/religious ideologies filter through the consciousness of a wide-eyed adolescent. It’s a heartfelt, refreshing take on growing up in unique circumstances. I highly recommend reading it before the next volume of this trilogy is published in the UK in September by Two Roads’ – Eric, Lonesome Reader

‘Fascinating… A really moving and at times quite melancholy story of an odd childhood’ – Anna James, A Case For Books

‘A convincing combination of wit and depth’ – Frankfurter Allgemeine

‘Brilliant, shar and surprising’ – Repubblica

‘Touching, chilling and very instructive’ – El Mundo