Memory of Departure

Abdulrazak Gurnah, the Nobel Prize in Literature laureate of 2021, made his literary debut with the novel «Memory of Departure».
Set in an unnamed East African port city in the early 20th century, the novel follows the life of 15-year-old Hassan Omar, who dreams of a better life and seeks escape from the poverty and injustice that pervade his home and town. Haunted by an abusive alcoholic father, a mother resigned to her husband's cruelty, a sister who falls into a life of vice, and a brother who takes a wrong turn, Hassan embarks on a journey to his uncle's home in Nairobi.
There, he witnesses the brutality and violence of colonial rule, forcing him to re-evaluate his place in the world and make difficult decisions about his future. «Memory of Departure» is a multifaceted novel that blends elements of historical fiction, biographical narrative, and philosophical parable. Gurnah masterfully paints a vivid picture of Africa in the early 20th century, exploring themes of colonialism, racism, migration, and identity.