Abdellah Taïa: Infidels

Set in Sal, Morocco, ‘Infidels’ follows the life of Jallal, the son of a prostitute witch doctor. As a ten-year-old sidekick to his mother, Jallal spits in the face of her enemies both real and imagined. The cast of characters that rush into their lives are unforgettable for their dreams of love and belonging that unravel in turn. Built as a series of monologues that are emotionally relentless – a mix of confession, heart’s murmuring and shouting match – the book follows Jallal out of boyhood on the path to Jihad. It’s a path that surprises even him.