The theme of the Anti-Flâneur emerges as a powerful commentary on the immigrant experience in urban spaces, particularly in Paris. The concept of a flâneur, rooted in French literary and cultural history, refers to a leisurely urban explorer, an individual who strolls through the city streets with a keen observational eye, absorbing the surroundings, and reflecting on the human condition. Traditionally, the flâneur embodies a sense of detached privilege, often associated with the upper class, leisure, and the luxury of time. However, in the context of the novel, the Anti-Flâneur subverts this notion, representing characters like Ossiri and Kassoum, who, as immigrants and security guards, are denied the luxury of leisurely observation.

For Ossiri and Kassoum, their roles as security guards on the bustling streets of Paris position them in a peculiar space. Instead of being flâneurs, they are...