The Arab of the Future, Vol 1

Sattouf, Riad. The Arab of the Future, Vol 1: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984. 2015. 154p. ISBN 978-1-62779-344-5.

As a blue-eyed blond child, Riad is very comfortable in his life in France. His mother is French, and his father is Syrian, but has been studying in France for a while now and hasn't been back home to visit in a decade. His father loves France for its freedoms, but longs for a strong and united pan-Arab society he could lead. After one more encounter with racism in France, Riad's father exiles himself and his family to Libya, where he got a job at the university, so he can raise Riad in an Arab society. 

Things in Libya are strange. There are no locks on doors, and anyone can claim an empty house, something Riad's family experiences on their first night when they return from a walk only to discover someone now lives in their home. Riad meets new friends and begins to learn the customs of the country. Food is rationed, and people are not free to express themselves. Riad is visited by his grandmother and his uncle from Syria, who are mesmerized by his long blond hair. His maternal grandmother also visits, and soon the family returns to France, with a new baby on the way.

Back in France, a younger brother is born, and the family packs up again and this time moves to Syria. The contrast between the two societies is shocking to Riad, but like every child he is resilient and learns to adapt to a new society. His mother, however, is not thrilled to be here. Over the next two years they save a lot of money, but Riad has to navigate complicated family relationships with undertone of political strife and racism as he is called a Jew. When the family once again returns to France, Riad is excited. However, this is just a summer break, and they're heading once again back to Syria.

An autobiographical graphic novel, The Arab of the Future portrays a dysfunctional society and a father always seeking a better future just around the corner. Fans of Persepolis will enjoy the similarities between Riad's early life and that of Marjane.

The story continues in The Arab of the Future 2.