Synopses & Reviews
The latest novel from "Morocco's greatest living author" (The Guardian) Award-winning, internationally bestselling author Tahar Ben Jelloun's new novel is the story of an immigrant named Mohammed who has spent forty years in France and is about to retire. Taking stock of his life- his devotion to Islam and to his assimilated children-he decides to return to Morocco, where he spends his life's savings building the biggest house in the village and waits for his children and grandchildren to come be with him. A heartbreaking novel about parents and children, A Palace in the Old Village captures the sometimes stark contrasts between old- and new-world values, and an immigrant's abiding pursuit of home.
Review
"With this novel, Ben Jelloun, a native of Morocco, gives us an unvarnished look at a Muslim's life in the West, and reminds us that literature can help us understand one another."
-Minneapolis Star Tribune
Synopsis
From Morocco's greatest living author (The Guardian), an internationally bestselling novel of universal appeal--about the powerful pull of home and the lengths to which a parent will go to bring his family together Mohammed has spent the past forty years working in France. As he approaches retirement, he takes stock of his life--his devotion to Islam and to his assimilated children--and decides to return to Morocco, where he spends his life's savings building the biggest house in the village and waiting for his children and grandchildren to come be with him.
A heartbreaking novel about parents and children, A Palace in the Old Village captures the sometimes stark contrasts between old- and new-world values, and immigrant's abiding pursuit of home.
About the Author
Tahar Ben Jelloun won the 2004 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Born in Morocco, he now lives in Paris, France.
Linda Coverdale is an award-winning translator of more than fifty books, including Tahar Ben Jelloun's Leaving Tangier and This Blinding Absence of Light. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.