
- October 28, 2022
Boza - Novel - Ulrich Cabrel and Etienne Longueville - Philippe Rey, 2020
Boza is an autobiographical account of the clandestine crossing of a young man, still a minor, who set off alone from a shantytown in Cameroon to reach the "European Eldorado". Through this account, the narrator Petit Wat plunges us into the reality of migratory journeys, violence and brutality, but also the strength of friendship and solidarity to overcome these ordeals. This book offers a fresh look at the realities of migration, the hope that Europe represents, and the violence that is present throughout this long journey. Right from the introduction, Petit Wat sets the context: "Don't forget that it's not my words that are harsh, but reality, which is brutal. Throughout this journey, violence and human cruelty seem intractable. But the book is not a long litany of misfortune and suffering, and shows the strength of friendship, mutual aid and solidarity to move forward. The testimony is simple but powerful. The injustice and additional violence felt when he has to prove the reality of his story to obtain a residence permit raises questions about our ability to hear and accept the violence that exists throughout these journeys of exile.
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