This novel is starred by four young people aged 14 to 16, born in southern Mali. The journey they make is what Xalbat Itzaina tells us. How they leave the house, some of them eager, forced by one; how they go to Burkina Faso, cross Niger and reach Libya; those who have to endure in Tripoli and, finally, the dramatic journey of the sea. The reader is not aware of the end of the journey, leaving Jalil and Nura in Palermo, with an Afghan friend, running … fleeing from demonstrators.
The novel has reminded us several times of the book Miñan de Amets Arzallus e Ibrahima Balde; the novel by Itzaina is based on the testimony of two young people and, as in the story by Ibrahima, here is also the crude and pain of the journey.
It is an easy work to read above all limits. Structured in short chapters, with multiple interviews and brief descriptions. It's life, full of action. One can see the thinking of the protagonists, what they live, the joys of the journey and, above all, the concerns and sorrows; in this sense, the reader will quickly live the events of the four children.
The Southern language reader will find less well-known words – scarniar, calapitar, exhaust, lohasma, beha and guhaur, for example, appearing on page 25 – but some of them appear at the base of the page with the help of dictionaries and others may be understood by context, so it is not a problem to approach this novel.
The book, for its part, shows in full color illustrations made by Paxkal Bourgoin, which give strength to the narration and, above all, at the beginning, a series of maps that explain the journey of the young.
It's an interesting novel to know about migratory movements, to get closer to our young people and to meet those who have approached our lands. It is also a sign of their dreams, their nightmares and, often, their social contempt. The testimony of this book will serve for the reflection and recognition of these young people!
Idazketa labana bat da
Annie Ernaux
Itzulpena: Leire Lakasta
Katakrak, 2024
Decisive seconds
Manu López Gaseni
Beste, 2024
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When the dragon swallowed the
sun Aksinja Kermauner
Alberdania, 2024
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Itxaso Martin Zapirain
Sowing, 2024
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Itsasoa bete urre
Dani Martirena
Irudiak: Ana Ibañez
Txalaparta, 2022
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Liburu honetara barneratzen den irakurleak sentsazio ugari izango ditu. Deigarria da azaleko letren urre kolorea eta zuritasuna, goialdean ageri den... [+]
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Issa watanabe
1545 argitaletxea, 2024
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Adania
Shibli
Translation: Aitor Blanco Leoz
Igela, 2024
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During these days, an Israeli soldier is bombarding hospitals, schools, Palestinian refugee camps with drones as if it were a video game, while in the West we see on... [+]
Fun Home. A tragic family
history Alison Bechdel
Txalaparta, 2024
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Fun Home. Alison Bechdel is known for the first publication of the graphic novel A Tragic Family Story (2006), although he himself participated in several... [+]
PLEIBAK
Miren Amuriza Plaza
Susa, 2024
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Edward Lear
Translation: Juan Kruz Igerabide
Denonartean, 2024
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The writer and illustrator Edward Lear published this work in 1846. As Igerabide says in the prologue of the book, “nonsense humor, absurd... [+]
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Uxue Alberdi
Susa, 2024
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Illustrations: Irrimarra
Ibaizabal, 2024
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30 years ago Patxi Zubizarreta published the book Marigoringoak hegan; J. M. Illustrated by Lavarello and by the hand of the Catalan publisher... [+]
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Writer: Illustrator Miren Agur
Meabe: Ane Pikaza
Elkar, 2020
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Miren Agur Meabe has published several texts and books. He's worked with all the literary genres: children's and youth literature,... [+]
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Beatrice Salvioni (Translation:
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Txalaparta, 2024
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Ruben Ruiz
Illustrations: Joseba Beramendi, exprai.
Elkar, 2022
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Rubén Ruiz offers a new work of short stories. They are not micronarratives, because the stories, although they can be read independently, have a... [+]