The Return - Hisham Matar

The Return (Fathers, sons and the land in between) by Hisham Matar

1. Theme/Story
The story of a son (Hisham Matar) in search of his father (Jabala Matar). Revolution threw King Idris from the throne by Muamar Quaddafi. In the regime of King Idris Jabala Matare was colonel. He was very happy with the overthrowing but later realized Quaddafi was worst. In 1980s Father was one of the prominent figures in armed resistence against the regime also he had become successfuk businessmen importing goods in middle east. They tried to buy him but coudnot.  critics were hunted and killed to other countries as well. 
but after the revolution Quaddafi was cautious of all the people of past regime. Fearing that firing important people at important post of the job would start a dissatisfaction and another revolution, he put them into low profile at different ministries. The dissendents were killed etc. Jabala worked for few years in US but wasa active in the revolition. Cairo, Egypt was considered a safe place for Libyan exiles but the authorities in association with Quaddafi kidnapped Jaballa. He was sent to infamous Abu-Salim prison. 
He wrote letters scretly to his family. One of which 
He was active in getting the funding for the revolution. Once inside there was no information about him. The only information that came was from the other inmates of the jail. The relatives confirmed his presence in the jail, others confirmed seeing him many years later free, some guessed him to be massacred on 29th June, 1995 when almost 1270 inmates were killed over a period of 2 hours. 
Hisham starts a campaign to find out about his father and to release the otgher relatives who were currently in the prison. The campaign gets lot of attention due to involvement of Nobel Laureats and press. Quaddafi's sone comes in touch with Hisham, promises to provid information about his father. He gets the relatives free but is not able to provide infomation about the father. 
Details of the war between Quaddafi and revolutionaries. He did not allow the bodies to be buried, basis civic amenities were a challenge.
Wifes of the revolutionaries also play an important part.
Father used to write poems and prose.
In 1980s the opponents of the regime were hanged on public square, universities, sports arenas. 
2. Words
a. chiffonier - a tall chest of drawers.
b. Abrogated - repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement).
c. Foreboding - a feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension.

3. Phrases/Sentences - 
a. In my mind's eye, I see a Libyan army...(30)

5. Author

4. Research
a. Quaddafi regime
b. King Idris
c. Gamal Abdel Naseer
d. Hosni Mubarak


6. Book Picture