About a brother and sister who manage to escape Morocco for Spain and their separate/combined stories. About immigrants (those who arrive), emigrants (those who leave), and identity. Well written with a somewhat peculiar ending. ( )

I didn't care for this story that much. It had such disagreeable characters, each one having his or her own chapter relating that person's story. I personally do not like this way of storytelling.

The general story was about Moroccans, specifically two siblings from Tangiers, who were determined to leave Morocco and make their lives better in Spain. The main character Azel graduated as a lawyer in Morocco but could find no work there; his sister Kenza had a dream of going to Spain, finding love, and then coming back home to Tangiers ready to have children with a husband she loves. Life in Spain did not turn out well for either of them nor for Miguel, a wealthy Spanish citizen. He promised to set up Azel for a life of luxury in Spain, although his ulterior motive was to use Azel as a servant and later as a lover.

I was glad the story ended when it did. I was exhausted from the misery of it all. I was also exhausted from all of the various characters and everything that they did to make their own lives as miserable as possible.

The writing was not the problem; the depressing story was, though. I might try another book by this author in the future, but I will need a story of Moroccans in their own country as their immigrant experience in Spain was a bit too much for me. ( )

Nachdem er nach seinem Studium keinen Job findet, vegetiert Azz El Arab, genannt Azel, in Tanger dahin. Zwischen Kleinkriminalität, oberflächlichem Sex, islamistischen Rekrutierungsversuchen und Drogenkonsum ist er besessen davon, den Sprung nach Europa zu schaffen, um dort ein besseres Leben zu führen. Schließlich gelangt er als Gespiele eines homosexuellen Künstlers nach Spanien, wo seine Träume und Hoffnungen der Realität nicht standhalten können.

Wie Azel geht es einer ganzen Generation junger Marrokaner. Tahar Ben Jelloun hat ihnen diesen Roman gewidmet. Er schildert nicht nur Azels Flucht, sondern die Erfahrungen und Erlebnisse Dutzender Personen, deren Lebenswege sich mit dem Azels kreuzen. Ben Jelloun hat so ein Mosaik persönlicher Schicksale zum Thema Wirtschaftsmigration geschaffen.

Sehr treffend analysiert Ben Jelloun die Hoffnungen junger Marrokaner nach Europa zu gelangen, die er mehr als Obession denn als Notwendigkeit begreift. Er beleuchtet die Hintergründe ihrer Wirtschaftsmigration und verdeutlicht zugleich deren Sinnlosigkeit. Mit "Verlassen" hat Ben Jelloun ein brennendes Thema unserer Zeit aufgegriffen und meisterhaft umgesetzt. ( )

When did you last leave a place, a person, an anything? This novel is about the darkness, pain, and yes, hope with which one contends when leaving. Ostensibly, it is about Moroccans leaving home for a new life in Spain, yet it is so much more. The characters demonstrate the many reasons one leaves, the disillusionment of the dream of arrival, and the returning home. Ben Jelloun's prose is so evocative that the reader feels immersed in the events and feelings which transpire. I ached at the rendering of the realization that the grass isn't always greener and that one doesn't arrive in the new setting as a new person, but must continue on with who one was before the leaving. Memorable characters, a profound message, and wonderfully evocative prose made this an outstanding read! ( )

I liked this right up to the end where it really went off the rails. Very interesting novel about a group of young people all trying to emigrate to Europe from N. Africa by any means necessary. Even more interesting to read in light of recent Arab spring events. ( )