The Arab of the Future 3, Riad Sattouf
'Among the greatest cartoonists of his generation' - Le Monde
'An authentic,emotionally honest memoir' - The Guardian
One month after the French publication of L'Arabe du Futur 4 by Riad Settouf, the much awaited English translation of the third volume of the graphic novel series is out in the UK this November!! The Arab of the Future 3 is translated by Sam Taylor, two years after the publication of the original French book by Allary Editions.
The Arab of the Future is a series of non-fiction graphic memoirs in which Riad Sattouf relates his childhood in the Middle East. The first volume, #1 French best seller, covers the period from 1978 to 1984: from birth to the age of six, little Riad is shuttled between Libya, Brittany and Syria. The second volume tells the story of his first year of school in Syria (1984-1985). This third volume sees him between the ages of six and nine, the time he becomes aware of the society he is growing up in.
The Arab of the Future 3 was translated from French by Sam Taylor, and is published by Two Roads.
Riad Sattouf is a bestselling cartoonist and filmmaker who grew up in Syria and Libya and now lives in Paris. The author of four comics series in France and a former contributor to the satirical publication Charlie Hebdo, Sattouf is now a weekly columnist for l’Obs. He also directed the films The French Kissers (winner of a César Award for Best First Film) and Jacky in the Women’s Kingdom. The Arab of the Future series is his first work to appear in English and has been translated into sixteen languages.
Click here to see an interview of the author introducing his work on the BBC.
Sam Taylor translated The Arab of the Future's three first volumes into English. Some of his translating work included the translation of Laurent Binet's HHhH (Penguin). He is also the author of the novels The Island at the End of the World, The Amnesiac and The Republic of Trees.
Don't forget to follow the Book Office's official Twitter account for more literary news!