Ráj – Gurnah Abdulrazak (2023)

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021 The groundbreaking work of the Nobel Prize laureate focuses on key issues related to colonialism while offering an extraordinary perspective on the life and maturation of a boy named Yúsuf at the beginning of the 20th century in Tanzania, where European power gradually begins to penetrate. The novel reveals, on one hand, the harsh world there, its complex power and economic relationships, and the relentless everyday reality of ordinary, impoverished people; on the other hand, it is also a captivating portrayal of the wild, exotic landscape, its inhabitants, history, and culture. The title of the novel, not coincidentally, refers to religious themes and motifs that resonate strongly in the work and give it a timeless dimension. The main character, Yúsuf, is sold by his father at the age of twelve as a repayment of a debt to a wealthy Arab trader named Azíz. From a simple life in the countryside, he is thrown into the complex urban environment of East Africa – a melting pot of different races, nationalities, and languages. We follow his participation in a trading expedition into the interior, which is forced to confront the hostility of local tribes, wild animals, and difficult terrain. Along with Yúsuf, the author guides us through a unique yet universally human experience, marked by milestones such as carefree childhood,...