It's been long since I read books in Arabic but I know I'll be reading more and more to get to know the contemporary writers it's my culture after all I don't know what to think of this story I chose the book because the author is Moroccan and Morocco has a very dear place in my heart If it weren't for the country and the cities in this book especially Marrakesh I wouldn't have given the book more than 2 stars maybe just one I did not like the story, for many reasons. One you never know what is the main story in this book. At one point you think it's Youssef, at another you think it's his son who died in Afghanistan or his dad or his gay friend or his other friend and his sister or it's a book about repression and corruption in Morocco. What a weird book Also the author presents Youssef in a way that didn't let me like him at all Sometimes he is a cruel son others he is a husband void of love. Then he is this lover who apparently has two women in his life. I mean I couldn't understand him You are by now probably wondering why I gave this book 3 stars Well just let me tell you that the beginning and end of this book were more than amazing! Very few books beginnings and endings marked me but this one really did! I only wish that the story in between was different. It wasn't satisfying for my taste I guess but I am so glad I got to read it. I learned so many things in this book because the author is an intellectual and a very good writer. I have like 2 dozens of pages marked because I had to literally stop and think about the ideas (very strong and amazing ones) he had to say or because I am learning new stuff cultural or historical etc. What I hated more than anything in this book was that he spoke of Saramago and his blindness book I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever understand that we can like such a book Saramgo seemed weird in the book's description, that was interesting I don't regret reading this book but I am still looking for a book in Arabic that can blow me off my feet Do you have any suggestions?