In The Country of Men by Hisham Matar

A Review

Title: In The Country of Men
Author: Hisham Matar
Price: RM 35.50

This is an emotionally gripping tale.

9 year old Suleiman is his mother’s constant companion as his father frequently leaves home for business trips. An ordinary enough life, except that this was Libya with the Revolutionary Committee keeping its keen eye peeled, except that the mother morphs into a depressed and “medicated” state when the father is not around, except that the father is in fact around and doing things the Revolutionary Committee might be very interested in.

Little Suleiman narrates this story of his world; the games he plays, the people in his life, and the things he sees. I found it heartrending to read of his world of childish innocence and yet be aware of the dark political fury gathering in the background of his parents’ world.

It was even more heartrending to read on as the political fury gets out of hand – and oblivious little Suleiman stays oblivious. A few times I felt like grabbing Suleiman out of the book, sit him on my lap and tell him the things the adults are taking pains not to tell him. Keeping Suleiman unaware might cost the adults their fight, as he interprets the goings-on himself and comes to conclusions that will make you feel so helpless.

This book made me feel so much. A recommended read.

And do not ignore little kids. What they don’t know might just be worse (for all!) then what they know.