The Hand of Iman
Will be published approx. on 25. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-4870-1369-1 (ISBN)
Description
Winner, Robert-Cliche First Novel Award
Finalist, Governor General's Award for French-language Fiction
Dreaming is a luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
In an unnamed African country devoured by rampant urbanization and haunted by the mirages of Western prosperity, where for a few CFA francs a child can be bought and sold into slavery, Toumani's earliest education is in the tolerance of suffering. He endures one master then the next, holding his survival-his very self-with open hands.
For Iman, a black and white biracial boy with an elusive presence, the only viable option appears to be an escape to bountiful Europe, where everything must be easier. Obsessed with this idyllic elsewhere to the point of losing himself completely, he remains, for those close to him, an object of fascination difficult to define.
When Iman reaches out his hand to rescue Toumani from certain death, he sets in motion a friendship that may satisfy their need for connection but cannot fundamentally change their circumstances. What is the point of survival without hope for a more livable future? And what happens to them when they both love the same girl?
In this stunning translation of Ryad Assani-Razaki's award-winning debut novel, dreaming is a luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
Finalist, Governor General's Award for French-language Fiction
Dreaming is a luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
In an unnamed African country devoured by rampant urbanization and haunted by the mirages of Western prosperity, where for a few CFA francs a child can be bought and sold into slavery, Toumani's earliest education is in the tolerance of suffering. He endures one master then the next, holding his survival-his very self-with open hands.
For Iman, a black and white biracial boy with an elusive presence, the only viable option appears to be an escape to bountiful Europe, where everything must be easier. Obsessed with this idyllic elsewhere to the point of losing himself completely, he remains, for those close to him, an object of fascination difficult to define.
When Iman reaches out his hand to rescue Toumani from certain death, he sets in motion a friendship that may satisfy their need for connection but cannot fundamentally change their circumstances. What is the point of survival without hope for a more livable future? And what happens to them when they both love the same girl?
In this stunning translation of Ryad Assani-Razaki's award-winning debut novel, dreaming is a luxury that few can afford. And yet, however inadvisedly, Iman dreams.
Reviews / Votes
"A work as layered as it is urgent." - The Globe and Mail "Several voices take turns telling a story that unfolds over three generations. Their country is not named, but Black Africa is ultimately the novel's main character ... Thanks to precise and poetic writing endowed with extraordinary sensitivity, the entire drama of Africa is drawn-its strengths, its riches, its predators, its violence, and its despair." -2011 Robert-Cliche First Novel AwardMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Concord
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4870-1369-1 (9781487013691)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
RYAD ASSANI-RAZAKI was born in 1981 in Cotonou in the West African state of Benin. In 2009, his short story collection Deux cercles was awarded the Trillium Book Award. His debut novel, The Hand of Iman (La main d'Iman), won the Prix Robert-Cliche in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction in 2012.