Josephine escapes poverty by coming to Kuwait from the Philippines to work as a maid.
She has a baby, Jose, with a local man but his family don’t approve and she is sent home. Brought up struggling with his dual identity, Jose clings to the hope of returning to his father's country. With a Filipino face, a Kuwaiti passport, an Arab surname and a Christian first name, will his father's country welcome him? The Bamboo Stalk takes an unflinching look at the lives of foreign workers in Arab countries and confronts the universal problems of identity, race and religion.
'Alsanousi is a voice of conscience' - Boyd Tonkin, Independent
Join us to discuss this award-winning Arabic novel.
The event is free to attend and is open to all - no booking required. If you don't have time to read the book, a summary will be available.
Email Sue Kay (s.kay@blueyonder.co.uk) or call DDE on 01392 438811 for enquiries.
An initiative of Devon Development Education, Global Book Club Plymouth is supported by the University of Plymouth.