'This was not his destiny - this phrase is repeated almost like a mantra for Mimoun, who truly believes he is meant for great things. Mimoun's own violent nature and paranoia leads to frustration and rage, which he duly takes out on his wife and children. Mimoun believes that life on his parents' land is not his destiny' and so we follow his journey from rural Morocco to urban Catalu�a. Mimoun's own violent nature and paranoia leads to frustration and rage, which he duly takes out o The Last Patriarch is narrated by the daughter of Mimoun Driouch - the patriarch of the title - from his birth to her entrance into university. «A highly original setting, an exquisite sensory universe, dominated by a highly naturalistic, well-structured, supple prose that keeps the reader glued to its pages.» A.The Last Patriarch is narrated by the daughter of Mimoun Driouch - the patriarch of the title - from his birth to her entrance into university. «Najat El Hachmi’s new novel is attractive, original, contemporary and strong.» Sam Abrams, El Mundo «The text, in its freeing exploration of a socially turbid sexuality, is incredibly valiant and its style shines for its poweful adroitness. She is a fine writer.” Michael Eaude, The Guardian El Hachmi is not just bold in her themes, but intelligently and patiently teases out their contradictions. What makes it special is its extraordinary physical detail, both in the sex (not at all titillating) and cleaning (stimulating) and in the description of clothes, smells and factory work. To some degree the novel is a morality tale: promiscuous sex does not bring happiness. She is reminiscent of Mercè Rodoreda in her detailing of everyday objects to reveal the workings of her main character's mind and her use of a direct, colloquial voice.

The novel is ably translated by Peter Bush from Catalan, one languaje with a rich literary tradition on which El Hachmi draws.

“A brave Catalan writer fashions a heroine who really breaks the rules.

El ultimo patriarca najat el hachmi pdf