Read an excerpt
See also www.assani-razaki.com
75,000 words in French
RIGHTS SOLDFrench: VLB editeur
ABOUT RYAD ASSANI-RAZAKI
(Photo: Courtesy of the author)
Ryad Assani-Razaki was born in Cotonou, Benin, in 1981. He now lives in Toronto and works as a computer analyst. Two Circles is his first book.
a short-story collection by Ryad Assani-Razaki
A COMPASSIONATE AND FRANK LOOK AT THE DIFFICULTIES OF IMMIGRATION
- Winner of the 2010 Trillium Award for the Best Book Published in French
This first collection of short stories by a young African author of surprising maturity addresses the nuances of discrimination and exclusion. Each of the stories captures a unique aspect of the frustrations of immigration.
All strangers in foreign lands, the characters in Deux Cercles struggle to communicate and to belong in their adopted homes. One man experiences the mundane difficulties of placing an order in a fast-food restaurant while attempting to satisfy his son’s longing for a happy-meal toy. Another returns home after spending ten years in the West, only to be rejected by the woman he left behind. Another character seeks to shed his former identity, but is haunted by the memory of the woman he once loved.
When social, cultural and religious circles meet, when our inner circles come into contact with those of others, particularly foreigners, instability and confrontation are inevitable. Ryad Assani-Razaki captures the subtleties of these experiences exquisitely.
Also Available: Iman (a novel-in-progress in French)
Iman tells the story of a boy who embarks on a journey by boat from Africa to Europe. What is the psychological context that can push a young man to believe in the unbelievable—to have faith that even though all who have gone before him have failed, the risk of such a journey is still worth taking?
Rights Sold: French-Canadian – VLB Editeur
PRAISE FOR DEUX CERCLES
“Blessed with an undeniable sense of metaphor, the author is able to create strongly evocative images with next to nothing, leaving the reader as surprised as the person who comes across brilliant pebbles while strolling on a beach.” — JADE BÉRUBÉ, special collaborator, La Presse
“A first collection of short stories, both subtle and skilful.” — SARRAH OSAMA, Touki Montréal
“There are things here that you delight in finding in a first literary work: audacity, understanding of human relationships (family, friends, lovers), and a natural ability to write.” — TRISTAN-MALAVOY RACINE, Voir.ca
“From the very first pages, it’s the breadth of the writing and the author’s pressing voice that hits you. Ryan Assani-Razaki’s writing goes straight to the heart and the keenness of his observations is surprising.” — SUZANNE GIGUÈRE, Le Devoir