by Deborah Rogers –
Elamin Abdelmahmoud moved to Canada at age 12 from his home in Sudan. He arrived with his mom to join his father who had established a life in Kingston, Ontario. Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces is Abdelmahmoud’s reflection on what it was like to start life over at that age, to find himself in a strange new country and within a very different culture, and especially how he found his voice in a new language.
Structured as a collection of essays, these “pieces” of Elamin illuminate a life that had to be deliberately created as he experienced first the disconnect of discovering his blackness on arrival in Canada (something that hadn’t been of note in Sudan) and then the complete alienation of peers who had entirely different cultural references. Nowadays Abdelmahmoud is well known as a media personality and someone with their finger on the cultural pulse; back then he had to feel it all out for himself.
Some in our group found resonances with their own immigrant stories; those who were not immigrants found his description of feeling cut off and adrift very moving. His explanation of the challenge of being unable to communicate his emotions because he was learning to express himself in a new language was especially powerful. The book is packed full of cultural references. Most of Abdelmahmoud’s essays are built around references to music, TV or pop culture and this was a big point of discussion. We saw how he used the cultural references as a way of locating himself: using the lyrics, or a character’s words, to express things he couldn’t. He dove too deep for some, but the references worked well for others.
Throughout the book the concept of “elsewhere” is very well explored, with one foot in each culture and a clear love for both his homeland and his new home. The positivity of Abdelmahmoud’s temperament shines throughout. He doesn’t dwell on some of the more challenging aspects of family drama or the racism he experienced; it’s really just a book about how he became the man he is. Our readers came away feeling grateful for having read the book and feeling that they like and understand the author. It also raised some interesting discussion about community within different cultures and the support that comes from people who understand you culturally.
Our next meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Issac. Find us in the Nell Horth Room of the Sidney/North Saanich Library. Stay up to date with Book Club news: www.seasidemagazine.ca/book-club/.
