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?An identity crisis: Written in 1966, Sudanese author Tayeb Salih’s Season ofMigration to the North is one of the classics of Arabic literature. Since its publication, the novel has left an indelible mark on the literary scene with its bold content and controversial themes that remain relevant today, earning its spot on the Arab Writers Union’s list of the top 100 Arabic novels of the 20th century.
The novel begins inside the home of our narrator, who returns to his humble village in Sudan after completing his studies in London. The narrator remains nameless, but is given a clear identity, a set of characteristics, and a link to the story’s true protagonist: Mustafa Sa’eed. Mustafa followed a similar path years earlier: he was a young man who was an expat, moving between Khartoum, Cairo, and London. He harbors feelings of rage and hatred toward the colonial powers that had brought ruin and misery to his country — yet must also navigate his reality as a privileged member of the English society, from which he seeks revenge.
Caught between vengeance and sorrow: The novel is inherently about revenge and the deep-seated anger held by colonized people toward the powers that continue to occupy them. Given the novel’s non-linear nature — with the author choosing to go back and forth in time — Season of Migration to the North is a novel best read in one sitting, lest you get lost.
Juxtaposition reigns: Between expatriation and the struggle to hold onto one's identity, and between the illusions of power and weakness, Mustafa Sa’eed embodies many paradoxes. This contrast reinforces the sense of loneliness experienced by those who find themselves in a world where they can’t truly belong. Despite some issues — such as certain details that could have been omitted in favor of others that might have provided further context — the novel remains an important read and a classic of Arabic literature, one that has since helped redefine the genre.
WHERE TO GET IT- You can place a special order for Season of Migration to the North from The Bookspot. You can also get the ebook on Kobo. The novel is also available in Arabic at Shorouk, Diwan, Aseer Al Kotb, and Al Masriah Al Lubnaniah.
