Memory of Departure

This novel by the Nobel Prize in Literature recipient follows a young Hassan, who, raised in a poor and abusive household, dreams of a future full of prosperity and, most importantly, freedom. Everything changes when Hassan moves from East Africa to his estranged, wealthy uncle’s home in Nairobi. He hopes to receive his mother’s half of the family’s inheritance, which his uncle unfairly took years ago. However, Hassan learns that riches lead to other, complicated issues. Developing relationships with his relatives, Hassan contemplates his future and what he truly desires. Gurnah’s quintessential keen attention to detail, helps paint the picture of a young man on the cusp of life, figuring out his future while reconciling the past. This story combines both the past and future of Hassan’s family to culminate in a complicated and adept story of hope and loss.