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Author's name: Roman Gary (Emile Ajar) Translation: Saleh Al-Amani Publisher: Al-Jamal Publications for Publishing and Distribution Publication year: 2021 Literary classification: Novel Brief about the book: A large part of the prestige enjoyed by Gary (1914–1980) is due to his novel "Life Before You," which first appeared in 1975, and its Arabic translation was recently published by Al-Jamal Publications, signed by Saleh Al-Ashmar, with a different title "Boozers of Belfil," while retaining the original title (Life Before You) as a subtitle. The book also bears the name of a pseudonym, Emile Ajar, which Roman Gary used to sign this work. The novel narrates the diary of a child of Arab origins, named Momo, in the house of Mrs. Rosa, who turned it into a place where she receives unwanted children, often children of maids, like herself, who practiced this profession earlier in her life. The narration accompanies Momo in his problematic relationship with this elderly lady, whom he knows, and stays with her until her departure, as well as his childhood adventures in the popular Belfil neighborhood in Paris. "Life Before You," like several of Gary's novels, especially "The Dawn Promise," found its way to cinema, where it was adapted twice, in France in 1977 and in Italy last year, 2020, where it continued to be shown until recently. It was also adapted into a television series in 2010, and has been frequently adapted for the theater, notably in 2008, when director Xavier Geyer brought it to the stage, earning several prestigious Molière Awards in France in 2009.