BOOK BRIEF

The Return

Hisham Matar
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The Return

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2016

Book Brief

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Hisham Matar

The Return

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Libya • 2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Return by Hisham Matar details a person's journey back to Libya after years in exile. It explores themes of loss, family, and search for truth, centered around the disappearance of the protagonist's father. The narrative combines memoir, history, and personal investigation in the backdrop of political turmoil.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Inspirational

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

17,604 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Hisham Matar's The Return blends memoir and political history, praised for its poignant exploration of exile and loss. Critics commend Matar's lyrical prose and emotional depth. However, some note a lack of resolution and narrative focus. The personal journey captivates, though its broader political implications may feel underdeveloped.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Return?

A reader who enjoys poignant memoirs exploring exile, family, and political history will appreciate Hisham Matar's The Return. Fans of works like The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, which also delve into personal narratives set against political backdrops, would find this book compelling.

4.2

17,604 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Libya • 2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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