My Friends

londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-17

moving 4.50

The reviewer finds 'My Friends' by Hisham Matar to be a poignant and deeply personal exploration of friendship and loss. They appreciate Matar's introspective style and the emotional depth of the narrative.

Hisham Matar's 'My Friends' is a book that delves into the complexities of human relationships, particularly friendships, and the impact of loss. The reviewer is struck by Matar's ability to convey deep emotions and personal reflections, making the narrative both intimate and universal. They find the book to be a moving exploration of how friendships shape our lives and how we cope with their endings. The reviewer also notes that Matar's writing style is introspective and thought-provoking, adding layers of depth to the story. Overall, they believe 'My Friends' is a powerful and emotionally resonant read that will stay with readers long after they finish it.

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The reviewer says, 'Matar's exploration of friendship and loss is both poignant and deeply personal.

They note, 'The book's introspective style adds layers of depth to the narrative.

The reviewer concludes, 'My Friends' is a powerful and emotionally resonant read.

newyorker.com · Unknown · 2024-01-15

poignant 4.50

James Wood praises Hisham Matar's novel 'My Friends' for its exploration of exile, friendship, and the lingering effects of political violence. The story of Khaled, a Libyan exile in London, is deeply personal and resonates with Matar's own experiences, making it a poignant and melancholic read.

James Wood's review of 'My Friends' highlights Hisham Matar's ability to weave a deeply personal narrative around themes of exile and political upheaval. The novel follows Khaled, a Libyan exile living in London, as he reflects on his past and the pivotal moment of the 1984 demonstration outside the Libyan Embassy. Wood notes that Matar's own experiences with exile and the disappearance of his father inform the novel, adding layers of emotional depth. The story is structured around Khaled's walk through London, which serves as a journey through his memories and the complex relationships with his friends. Wood appreciates Matar's poetic prose and the way he captures the essence of living in the shadow of a traumatic past.

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The line that now separates me from my former self is the chasm that I remain unable to bridge.

Exile turns countries into temporalities: the place you came from and the place you find yourself in become the time before and the time after.

Matar's writing is painfully alive to this asymmetry.

npr.org · Unknown · 2024-01-15

brilliant 4.50

John Burnside praises Hisham Matar's 'My Friends' as a masterpiece of historical narrative, highlighting its intimate portrayal of friendship and love amidst political turmoil. The novel is commended for its exploration of human connections and the power of conviviality in a world dominated by unreasonable men.

John Burnside's review of 'My Friends' by Hisham Matar emphasizes the novel's profound treatment of history through the lens of personal relationships. The story follows Khaled, a Libyan exile in London, whose life is forever changed by a political demonstration that binds him to Mustafa and Hosam. Burnside highlights Matar's ability to convey the texture and warmth of everyday moments, making the broader historical context more relatable. The novel is praised for its exploration of friendship, love, and the importance of human connections in the face of dictatorship and revolution. Burnside compares 'My Friends' to classics like 'Doctor Zhivago' and 'The Leopard', noting its lasting impact through its depiction of conviviality and the intricate philosophical reflections of its characters.

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The pupils of his eyes turned small and dark and slowly, in a barely audible tone, he said, “Don’t. Be. Lured. In.

Matar sidesteps the more obvious temptations of the epic subject matter to home in on the everyday, intimate moments that make up the wider sweep of time, moments that give history texture and warmth and flavour

It is dependence that a sane mind should seek; to depend on others and be in turn dependable.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2023-12-28

intriguing 4.50

Hisham Matar's 'My Friends' explores the complexities of friendship, particularly among men, against the backdrop of political upheaval and exile. The novel follows Khaled, a middle-aged Libyan man, as he reflects on his decades-long friendship with Hosam Zowa, which ends with Zowa's departure for California. Matar's personal experiences with exile and the trauma of persecution influence his writing, creating a deeply intimate and dramatic narrative.

Hisham Matar's latest novel, 'My Friends,' delves into the intricate and often unpredictable nature of friendships, especially among men. The story unfolds during a late-night walk across London, where the protagonist, Khaled, reflects on his long-standing friendship with Hosam Zowa. Their bond, forged in shared exile from Libya, comes to an end as Zowa departs for California, seeking a fresh start. Matar's personal experiences with exile and the trauma of persecution, stemming from his father's imprisonment under the Gaddafi regime, deeply influence his writing. This novel, his longest, aims to sweep readers away with a dramatic story while examining the intimate and private dimensions of friendship. The narrative is set against the backdrop of real-life events, such as the 1984 shooting at the Libyan Embassy in London, adding a layer of historical significance to the personal story.

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Friendship is promiscuous.

You can have many friends at once — and you enter into friendships without knowing how long they will endure.

The dramatic heart of 'My Friends' is based on the real-life events of April 17, 1984, when a gunman in London opened fire on protesters from inside the Libyan Embassy in St. James Square.

My Friends

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