It is a brutally honest and efficient narrative engine that is fueled, so far at least, almost entirely at the expense of his Arab side, which is comprised of members who come across to varying degrees as violent, superstitious, prejudiced, unhygienic and irredeemably basic.
The climax of this volume is a blackly over-the-top scene...But the book isn't all overstatement, and Sattouf also has an eye for grimly funny details...
Already a success in France, The Arab of the Future will do little to complicate most people’s perceptions of Libya or Syria. Life in both countries seems like a living hell, with no moments of relief or pleasure. But this book also has occasional flashes of beauty.
Whatever comes next, it's certainly left its mark; Sattouf's feelings about the Arab world are ferocious. They coexist uneasily with his ironical soul. Sometimes rage wins out, other times it's humor. But he always knows what he thinks about his subjects—even if he doesn't allow the reader to feel the same certainty.
The Arab of the Future is drawn in a simple, confident, expressive style. A caricaturist’s hand animates faces distorted by fear, anger, or rage. As the plot moves between Libya, France, and Syria, each country is given its own wash of color: yellow, blue, or red. It’s when the family lands in the red zone that the story also arrives at its emotional center.
This is medicine—and a risk—worth taking. The Arab of the Future begs for a more complex and compassionate understanding of an area of the world that’s all too often the target of misunderstanding and fear.
