Most stories about illegal immigration are predictable: either you sneak into a country and get caught, or you succeed and struggle to survive. Laila Lalami’s novel uses such stories to tell us about the Moroccan people and their customs.

There’s Murad Idrissi, who spends his days trying to make a living off tourists. When his escape attempt fails, he works in a bazaar while dreaming of becoming a writer. Faten Khatibi escapes Morocco only to end up as a prostitute in Madrid. Hatima Bouhamsa has an abusive husband, but her tradition-bound mother counsels patience. For Americans like me, the novel is a reminder of why people in other countries risk their lives to enter lands of freedom and opportunity. 

In the author’s world, Moroccans who cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain often drown in overcrowded boats. Those who make it, such as Aziz Ammor, end up in low-paying jobs and send what little money they can spare to support their families back home. Ties of family and friendship are strong, and the immigration stories sometimes spark legends, such as the ten-year-old boy who saves his mother from drowning.

This is a short novel, concise and frank, but filled with interesting cultural details. I would have liked to read more about the outcome of the characters’ struggles, but Lalami seems to think the vignettes contain all we need to know. Be warned that Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits contains a few offensive words.

Chevron Ross's novels include Weapons of Remorse, The Seven-Day Resurrection, and The Samaritan's Patient. Click here for more information.