R
Riad Sattouf
L'Arabe du futur, tome 2
In the second volume of this acclaimed series, young Riad is now living in his father's hometown of Homs, Syria, where he attends school and strives to become a true Syrian under the rule of dictator Hafez Al-Assad. Riad's story, told with devastating simplicity, explores the daily sadism of his teacher, the allure of the black market, and his father's attempts to fit in with the regime. A chilling act ultimately forces the family to make a dramatic change, revealing the inner workings of a tormented country and family through Riad Sattouf's unique talent.
This volume continues Riad Sattouf's autobiographical account of his childhood, specifically his experiences living in Syria with his family. The events and characters depicted are drawn directly from his personal memories.
Yes, this is the second volume in a graphic novel series and directly continues the narrative from the first book. Reading them in order is essential to understand the full context of Riad's childhood and family journey.
While still maintaining a humorous and observational style, this volume delves deeper into the complexities and darker realities of life in Hafez Al-Assad's Syria, reflecting Riad's growing awareness as a child. The innocence of the first book begins to give way to more challenging experiences.