Brotherhood (French: Terre ceinte) is a political novel written by Senegalese writer Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and translated by Alexia Trigo.[1] It was published by Europa Editions in 2021. Originally published as Terre Ceinte in 2014 by Présence Africaine.[2]
| Author | Mohamed Mbougar Sarr |
|---|---|
| Original title | Terre ceinte |
| Translator | Alexia Trigo |
| Language | French |
| Subject | Political |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Set in | Kepal, Sumal fictional town |
| Publisher | Présence Africaine |
Publication date | 2014 |
| Publication place | Senegal |
Published in English | 6 October 2021 |
| Media type |
|
| Pages | 248 (trade paper) |
| Awards | |
| ISBN | 978-2-7087-0881-5 (trade paper) |
| LC Class | PQ3989.3.M36714 T47 2014 |
The novel takes place in a fictional town in Africa, where Islamic extremism has taken root.[3]
Background
editIn 2014, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr's novel was published by Présence Africaine in French.[4] It was Sarr's debut novel and second work after his critically acclaimed short story "La Cale".[2] In 2021, it was translated by Alexia Trigo—being Trigo's debut work as a translator and Sarr's first novel to be translated into English.[5]
Plot
editThe story follows an extremist Islamic organisation—called the Brotherhood, which has taken control of Kalep—and a group of decentralised intellectuals intent on challenging its extreme religious doctrine. The antagonist, Abdel Karim who is a police chief, leads the Brotherhood. In order to fight the tyrant, the intellectuals develop a political journal called Rambaaj that is aimed at reawakening the people and calling for an uprising. To fight back, Karim places a huge bounty on the underground journalists which introduces betrayal and back-biting to the organisation. In order to winnow out the journalists, Karim burns down a library that is considered a cultural property.
Characters
edit- Abdel Karim — a police chief and leader of the Brotherhood
- Malamine — leader of the resistance group
Reception
editIt received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.[6] PW described it as a "vital new voice to American readers."[6] It was listed in Brittle Paper's Notable Books of 2021.[7]
Awards and nominations
editThe French version won the Grand prix du roman métis and Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma in 2015.[4][2]
References
edit- ^ Nelson, Caleb Azumah (6 July 2021). "Debut Novels by Jesse McCarthy, Gabriel Krauze and Mohamed Mbougar Sarr". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Pauron, Michael (1 May 2015). "Littérature : le Sénégalais Mohamed Mbougar Sarr remporte le prix Kourouma pour Terre Ceinte". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ Marcus, Richard (19 July 2021). "Book Review: Brotherhood by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr". Blogcritics. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b Figaro, Le (3 November 2021). "Goncourt 2021 : le sacre de Mohamed Mbougar Sarr et de sa Plus secrète mémoire des hommes". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ Tarng, Tammy (27 September 2021). "Globetrotting". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Brotherhood". Publishers Weekly. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "50 Notable African Books of 2021". Brittle Paper. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2023.