When I first started reading Rawi Hage’s Cockroach, I was not immediately hooked. Unfamiliar with his writing style, I had picked up the book because I recognized the name. A follow-up to his acclaimed De Niro’s Game, Cockroach explores mental illness, immigration and an immigrant’s struggle for survival. The pacing of the book was not always inviting, but once I grew accustomed to it, I had to keep going to know what was going to happen to our antagonist.
After a failed suicide attempt, the main character begins seeing a therapist, as is mandated. But he does not enjoy the sessions, nor does he take them seriously. But it is through these sessions that we learn more about him and his past, how he ended up in Canada. Mental illness takes center stage in this novel, as the troubled character goes through the motions of his daily routine, struggling to survive his own demons, while simultaneously inhabiting the identity of a cockroach – a metaphor to how he perceives his own self and existence.
As we also live day to day with the unnamed main character, we learn about his fascination with his therapist, and of his love interest – Shoreh. Other characters he encounters are often refugees or migrants who, like him, are struggling financially. The presence of these characters does a great job at highlighting struggles faced by these individuals and how they are often reduced by society.
The deranged character is also deeply complex. Hage’s depiction of the character’s struggles, both with his mental health and how they reflect in the outside world, is unmatched. The writer also incorporates dark humor, especially to showcase the absurdity of the protagonist’s situation or the societal norms he observes.
While not an easy read, and not made for everyone, as it requires attention and patience, the themes this novel touches on are incredibly powerful. Hage has crafted a disturbing yet poignant novel that resonates long after the final page. It’s a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction that pushes boundaries, experiments and ultimately offers a raw, unfiltered look at the human condition.
