MBI 2019 The Death of Murat Idrissi by Tommy Wieringa

Book 3 this one has only been tackled by me, Book Worm, as and when the other panellists read this the post will be updated with their opinions. You will see various posts with only 1 reviewer to start with this is because the deadline for the Shortlist announcement is so tight we are spreading resources to cover as many books as we can.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Two venturesome women on a journey through the land of their fathers and mothers. A wrong turn. A bad decision.

They had no idea, when they arrived in Morocco, that their usual freedoms as young European women would not be available. So, when the spry Saleh presents himself as their guide and saviour, they embrace his offer. He extracts them from a tight space, only to lead them inexorably into an even tighter one: and from this far darker space there is no exit.

Their tale of confinement and escape is as old as the landscapes and cultures so vividly depicted in this story of where Europe and Africa come closest to meeting, even if they never quite touch.

Book Worm’s Thoughts: This book was just not for me I disliked the characters, the story was not the story the synopsis promised me, I don’t believe the characters grew as people and the ending left me cold.

The one thing this book did do well was to show the lengths people will go to, to escape poverty and seek a better future. It shows how this need for escape affects multiple generations in a family and how easy it is to take advantage of those who are desperate. It highlights how when you are in an unfamiliar place it is easy to make bad decisions and to put your trust in the wrong people.

Writing quality: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Character development: 2/4
Plot development: 2/4
Overall enjoyment: 0.5/2
Total: 10.5/20

Has anyone read this? What did you think?

Rankings:

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead 16.5/20
Celestial Bodies 14/20
The Death of Murat Idrissi 10.5/20