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A Slap in the Face

By Abbas Khider
Series: The German List
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Slap in the Face by Abbas Khider explores the turbulent journey of a young refugee navigating the complexities of asylum-seeking life in Germany. Balancing humour and poignancy, it delves into themes of identity, displacement, and the often bewildering bureaucracy faced by those searching for a new beginning. As the protagonist recounts tales from their past intertwined with their present struggles, the story provides a heartfelt glimpse into resilience and hope amidst adversity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2399
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to stories that explore themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. The narrative follows the journey of asylum seekers and highlights their struggles and hopes, providing a poignant reflection on contemporary migration experiences. The author's insightful portrayal of human emotions and societal issues offers a compelling and thought-provoking read.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Now in paperback, the touching, timely story of an Iraqi refugee in Germany.

In our era of mass migration, much of it driven by war and its aftermath, A Slap in the Face could not be more timely. It tells the story of Karim, an Iraqi refugee living in Germany whose right to asylum has been revoked in the wake of Saddam Hussein’s defeat. But Hussein wasn’t the only reason Karim left, and as Abbas Khider unfolds his story, we learn both the secret struggles he faced in his homeland and the battles with prejudice, distrust, poverty, and bureaucracy he has to endure in his attempts to make a new life in Germany.

As he erupts in frustration at his caseworker and finally forces her to listen to his story, we get an account of a contemporary life upended by politics and violence, told with warmth and humour that, while surprising us, does nothing to lessen the outrages Karim describes.

Series: The German List

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Slap in the Face by Abbas Khider is praised for its vivid portrayal of the struggles faced by refugees seeking asylum in Europe. The novel is noted for its blend of existential despair with moments of absurd comedy, delivering a narrative that is both crude and sensitive. With an intense opening and a storyline filled with humour and tension, the book effectively highlights the myriad injustices and exploitations that refugees encounter.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781803090009

Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 March 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Seagull Books London Ltd

Contributors:

  • Translated by Simon Pare

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 192

Collections

Abbas Khider Fiction Fiction in Translation General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: The German List

About the Author

Abbas Khider was a political prisoner in Saddam Hussein's Iraq before fleeing to Germany. Seagull Books published his debut novel, The Village Indian, in 2013. Simon Pare is a translator from French and German who lives in Paris.

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