In Waciny Laredj's profound novel, we follow Noun, an Algerian writer exiled in Paris. Haunted by memories of his homeland and the political violence that tore it apart, Noun struggles with his fragmented identity and the feeling of being uprooted, much like the titular 'savage land fish' that cannot survive outside its natural habitat. Laredj masterfully weaves a non-linear narrative, blurring the lines between reality, memory, and hallucination to explore the deep scars of exile and the complex, often painful, relationship one has with their origins. It's a powerful exploration of displacement and the search for belonging.