Book · 2016 · Matar, Hisham, 1970-
The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between
Why people recommend it
The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar is a poignant memoir detailing the author's journey back to Libya to uncover the fate of his missing father under the Qaddafi regime. On The Book Review, Greg Coles enthusiastically brought up the title across multiple episodes. Coles mentioned that he had frequently talked about the book on the podcast while he was actively reading it, eventually naming it among his favorite works of the year. He noted that the memoir focuses on the author, who was born in New York City, and his deeply personal exploration of history, family, loss, and political tyranny. Coles's consistent praise highlighted the profound emotional impact of the narrative, framing it as an essential and unforgettable reading experience that deeply resonated with him long after he finished turning the final pages.
Who recommended it
- Greg Coles Recommended
Greg Coles — 3 mentions
“then I'm reading a memoir called The Return by Hisham matar who was born in New York City”
“then I'm reading a memoir called The Return by Hisham matar who was born in New York City”
“I think I've talked about it on the podcast while I was reading it — and that book is Hisham matar's the return”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- Today will be different
- War and turpentine
- A history of the world in 100 objects
- Catch-22
- Commonwealth
- Crooked Kingdom
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“he has received the Pitzer prize for his amazing autobiography called the return”
“the first is a book called The Return by hasham matar who is Libyan and whose father was uh disappeared into a Libyan prison in the early 1990s”