Jérôme Ferrari's novel explores migrant exploitation in Abu Dhabi

Jérôme Ferrari's latest novel, "Très brève théorie de l’enfer," delves into the stark realities of migrant exploitation in Abu Dhabi. This work is the second part of his novelistic triptych, "Contes de l’indigène et du voyageur," which explores the theme of otherness.

Ferrari's previous novel, "Nord sentinelle," critiqued the excesses of mass tourism in Corsica. In this new installment, he turns his unsparing gaze toward Abu Dhabi, a place where the chasm between the status of exiled expatriates and migrant workers is pushed to its extreme. Expatriates enjoy air-conditioned luxury overlooking the mangroves, while migrants endure sacrifices and humiliations akin to unacknowledged servitude.

The narrative centers on a young French teacher who accepts a position at the French lycée in Algiers, driven by a desire for new experiences and a weariness with his own life. He hopes to escape what he perceives as a predetermined fate tied to his Corsican origins, a recurring theme in Ferrari's work. His plans are disrupted by an attack on the school, prompting him and his colleague, Nardjess, to leave Algeria. Without consulting her, he secures a teaching post in Abu Dhabi, where they relocate with their daughter, Afsaneh.