Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih

Review by: Isabel Morford-Cheibub

The short
A complicated tale of Sudanese national identity under British colonialism

The long
Set in a Sudanese village along the Nile River, the book is narrated by an unnamed young man who has recently returned to his home after receiving a Ph.D. in Europe. Upon his arrival, he meets Mustafa, a mysterious and reserved farmer who moved to the village while he was abroad. Unable to contain his curiosity, the narrator persuades Mustafa to reveal his past and finds himself drawn into the fascinating tragedy of the other man’s life. This book offers commentary on the patronizing attitude of Europeans towards the native population of the lands that they colonized, and although the book is centered on Sudan, the themes and lessons are applicable to most Middle Eastern countries, if not most formerly colonized nations.

To read or not to read?
Mustafa’s story will quickly engage anyone who is curious about the impact of British colonialism on Sudan. It also offers insight into the obstacles that immigrants and refugees face as they assimilate to new societies today.