IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DIGITAL SILVER HONOREE:'...Set in the heart of the rural Rif mountains, this little boy's life is dictated by tribal tradition, superstition and religion. He moves from nothing--with hopes and dreams; he shifts to the big town, Fez, to get an education. This book reads like a diary and yet it is a travel novel. It is a magnificent read. Each page will hold you in its clutches and squeeze from you so much emotion and the need to keep turning pages. How on earth will this little boy endure the obstacles? Moroccan culture is seen from the inside, both the positive and the negative. The story overflows with tragedies, courage and triumphs. Those on the fringe of society are powerless. The main character, Jusef, shows the reader the power of hope and the strength to believe in a positive future. I absolutely loved this book and wished it had carried on further. This book deserves the 4 1/2 stars. A wonderful book. I loved every minute. I wanted more.' F. Gibson 'I stumbled across 'A Riffian's Tune' while looking for travel books on my kindle app and I was blown away! This book is wonderful. I'd been to Morocco many years ago, and had always kept up an interest in the country, but this book showed me a whole new side; a snapshot of the Morocco on the cusp of independence. The protagonist of the story is Jusef, a shepherding Berber boy from the far north of the country. What follows is his journey as he struggles to leave shepherding behind and make a new life for himself away from the mountains. But it's really about a lot more than that; every page contains a different little tale, all woven into one big inspirational journey, full of vivid details and unbelievable situations. Joseph Labaki's writing reminded me of a cross between Hemmingway and Paulo Coelho, having the same simple but elegant style, and the succinct clarity which is so effective in transporting the reader to places and times they would never otherwise see. I thoroughly enjoyed 'A Riffian's Tune'. It made me laugh, cry and think and above all is a beautiful book.' - A Poupalou 'A Riffian's Tune is now one of my favourite books and I really would recommend anyone to give it a try.' Yul from GoodReads 'FANTASTIC READ , I found this true life story a brilliant book that took you on a journey through one young boys struggles to educate himself in a world that threw every difficult situation you could imagine. Thoroughly recommend 'A Riffian's Tune' gives you a real taste of life in another world .' -G Murdoch 'A Riffian's tune is a beautiful, inspiring story. It brings up the authentic atmosphere of poverty and foreign occupation in Northern Morocco. This story reminds us that unfortunate circumstances do not always dictate the course of an individual.' -Fouad 'It's a wonderful experience to get lost in a book...I could not put the book down, it pulled me in deep...I did not see the end coming until the final pages, and I think that must be very good writing indeed!...the story still runs through my mind. I won't forget it.' A Clifford 'This book was so rich with culture and history.' H Sowalla
