Youssef El Mekki is a young man growing up in an impoverished slum of Casablanca, Morocco with his mother. He has always been told that his father was a teacher who worked odd jobs for extra money and was killed in a tragic accident. Then, one day, he discovers that his father is truly a (living) wealthy business man who fooled around on his wife with Youssef’s mother. Due to the circumstances surrounding Youssef’s discovery and his attempts to reconnect with his father, Youssef begins to spend more and more time at the community center of a somewhat radical Islamic group known as The Party.

I thought that “The Secret Son” was a fantastic look at the desperate circumstances that end up radicalizing many young men around the world. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded, particularly through the end of the book. The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, but once Youssef began to learn the truth about his father it really picked up. I really enjoyed this look into modern life in Morocco. ( )

This book is a dramatic introduction to the slums of Casablanca where Youssef is trying to find his place. I very much enjoyed the emotional journey he took and the sights and sounds the author exposed the reader to. The authors style is a hauntingly beautiful one. I will definitely read her books in the future. Thank you for the advance copy! ( )

I enjoy a book that takes you to a place that, chances are, you'll never visit and if you do, you'll be a tourist and never get a real feel for the place anyway. Youssef lives in the slums of Casablanca, an intelligent college student who finds it next to impossible to move above his low station. He lives under the belief that his father died early in Youssef's childhood. He comes to find out that his mother lied about the scandalous circumstances under which he was born and his father is actually a wealthy businessman. Youssef finds his father and, for a time, lives the life of a rich son, just to be cast out again. Forces combine to destroy the life of Youssef, something that seems inevitable after all. ( )

Secret Son was about a young man searching for his identity in the world. The story is a sad one but I found it hard to find an emotional connection with Youssef. The setting was well described and I enjoyed reading about Morocco. Just an okay story. ( )

This novel puts a face on the contemporary conflicts young men are forced to address and sometimes pushed into in regions of the world such as Morocco. Any stereotypes of such men and their conditions are thoroughly blown in this book. Just when the reader thinks the motivation of a character is understood, another perspective is revealed. Youssef El-Mekki is the 19 year old male protagonist that exposes the reader to the slums of Casablanca, Morocco. And, the luxurious living conditions of the wealthy, and all that falls in between.

Youssef lives with his mother who ekes out an existence as a single working mother. She attempts to keep her son interested in obtaining an education and in remaining at home. This proves difficult when a fringe fundamentalist Islamic group sets up in the neighborhood and her past family relations emerge to offer Youssef financial options. These social and emotional intrusions complicate Youssef's future. He is forced to define his values, to sort out his stance as an individual in the face of causes, symbolism and money - in politics, religion and class.

The tug of war between all these elements and just wanting to be a young man wishing for acceptance and opportunity in the world swirls about Youssef. The author, Laila Lalami, was born and raised in Morocco. So this swath of cultural exposure has credibility. I found the novel memorable. Whenever I hear of conflicts and terrorism in the daily news, I relate Youssef's condition to those participating. His character humanizes the young people that are pushed and pulled into symbolic acts out of despair and frustration. ( )