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Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
 

Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits

by Laila Lalami

Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, Laila Lalami's poetic debut, begins with the illegal journey of four Moroccans across the Strait of Gibraltar. Moments away from the shores of Spain, the boat capsizes and the passengers are forced to swim for their lives, and their freedom. What follows is an exploration of the pasts that led to this passage, and the futures that emerge from this voyage. ... (read more)

Top tags: short stories,  women writers,  africa,  african,  arab (all tags)

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Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

againstthetide
  • Rated 4 stars

“I'd love to give this one five stars as I think it is truly unique and well written. But it just doesn't give quite enough sense of resolution for me to be totally satisfied. A great book detailing the plight of several Moroccans and following their attempt to migrate to escape the lack of jobs and hopelessness of Morocco. Each chapter is the perspective of one of the characters - - either before or after they've tried to emigrate. The prose is spare and easy to read. A little treasure of a book.”

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Didn’t Like It

Renee J
  • Rated 2 stars

“While this is currently the Writers and Books "Rochester Reads" selection of the year, I was underwhelmed by it. Lalami introduces her characters - interesting and flawed people to whom I wanted to relate - but the book was so short, it was difficult to get much more. While there are brief moments where the reader can feel introducted into a new culture, we are never fully immersed. I believe Lalami's publisher must have liked the basic idea of the content - Muslims from Morocco trying to...”

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Community:
  • Rated 3.583333 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • belhorma s

    belhorma s said:

    “really i have enjoyed the reading of this story, mainly because it sheds light on an issue eventually is the concern of many moroccans as well as other communities. i apprreciat a lot the story and i hope to read more of Laila lalami's work.”

    posted Saturday, May 17 2008
  • Dan

    dan said:

    “I really enjoyed this story that took me to a place I had not been to before. Well written story with a heart. I'm sure we'll be reading more of this author in the future. ”

    posted Thursday, August 9 2007
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