My only criticism would be that there are
moments when the personal cost of it all seems to be treated in a perfunctory
way. (Review by Margaret von Klemperer, courtesy of The Witness)
Nuruddin Farah is greatly respected in the
literary world. Born in Somalia, he currently lives in Cape Town, but he is a
cosmopolitan figure, and his latest novel is set mainly in Oslo. In it Farah
deals with themes of exile, xenophobia, Islamophobia and fundamentalism, all of
which are extremely pertinent in today’s uncertain and angry world.
His central characters in North Of Dawn are Somalia-born Mugdi and
Gacalo who have lived quietly in Norway for a long time, considering themselves
assimilated. In his former life, Mugdi was a diplomat and now translates into
Somali works of classic Norwegian literature, dealing with the Norwegian
diaspora into North America, while Gacalo works as a nurse. They have kept to
themselves, but their peaceful life was turned upside down when their son left
Europe to return to Somalia where he died as a suicide bomber, leaving a widow
and two stepchildren.
Mugdi and Gacalo sponsor Waliya and her
children to come to Oslo, albeit a little reluctantly. And they find themselves
having to deal with a new set of problems. Waliya makes no effort to integrate
herself into Norwegian society – indeed, she seems to resent it – while her son
in particular longs for the secular, easy life of a modern teenager. He turns
to Mugdi for comfort and advice.
Farah makes it plain that xenophobia
doesn’t exist only on one side of the divide between refugees and citizens of
the host country. But neither is extremism seen the same way when it comes from
Islamists – seen as evil people – and the white right wing – seen as mad, which
is perhaps potentially more excusable. He handles these and other issues with
skill and considerable subtlety.
Events such as Anders Brevik’s killing
spree form a background to the novel as it draws a picture of a family dealing
with an extraordinary situation in a country which, however assimilated they
may feel, is not where their roots lie. On that level, it is an important
addition to the debate. My only criticism would be that there are moments when
the personal cost of it all seems to be treated in a perfunctory way. And at
its best, fiction should use close attention to the personal to illustrate the
wider concerns of a society. North of
Dawn is published by Riverhead Books. ISBN 9780735214231 - Margaret von
Klemperer
Posts
