New Novel 'Between the Devil's Claws' Tackles Taboo Moroccan Subjects

Abdelaziz El Idrissi's new novel, "Between the Devil's Claws," delves into a range of sensitive and taboo subjects, including the "night worlds," illegal immigration, the violation of innocence, corruption, the relationship with power, hidden complicities, and drug trafficking. Published by Dar Saliki Akhawain, the 314-page work is divided into three chapters: "Kamal Al-Jinn," "Al-Saadia," and "Love in the Eye of the Storm."

The novel presents Moroccan stories that reflect a part of "reality" and "expose taboos." One passage highlights the local perception of authority, noting, "Although all the sheikhs and leaders belong to the 'Makhzen' [the state apparatus], Ahmed Al-Qasri is the only one known by the nickname 'Al-Makhzen' among the general public in the district."

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Although all the sheikhs and leaders belong to the 'Makhzen' [the state apparatus], Ahmed Al-Qasri is the only one known by the nickname 'Al-Makhzen' among the general public in the district.

Another excerpt from the "Al-Saadia" chapter reveals the harsh realities faced by women, stating, "Listen to me carefully, Saadia. The girls in the factory you think are happy, active, and joyful are more miserable and unfortunate than you. Do you think what they earn in the factory allows them to live in Tangier and send aid to their families? If you think so, you are mistaken. The best and most chaste among them is the one who has only one lover."

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Listen to me carefully, Saadia. The girls in the factory you think are happy, active, and joyful are more miserable and unfortunate than you. Do you think what they earn in the factory allows them to live in Tangier and send aid to their families? If you think so, you are mistaken. The best and most chaste among them is the one who has only one lover.

The novel also addresses the dangerous world of illegal immigration and drug smuggling. "Some see in the smuggling of 'hashish' a great profit to add to what they earn in illegal immigration, enabling them to expand their activities, while others see smuggling as an adventure and risk that could backfire," the text reads. "This latter group felt they were working in 'Harrick' [illegal immigration] with complete freedom..."

El Idrissi, originally from Tangier, is a Moroccan writer with a background in applied economics and management informatics from the University of Louvain in Belgium. His professional career has focused on vocational training and private education. The narrative occasionally incorporates two-line poems, including one titled "Corruption," which depicts a neighborhood sheikh accumulating wealth and favors in exchange for performing his professional duties.

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Some see in the smuggling of 'hashish' a great profit to add to what they earn in illegal immigration, enabling them to expand their activities, while others see smuggling as an adventure and risk that could backfire. This latter group felt they were working in 'Harrick' [illegal immigration] with complete freedom...