Rafael Chirbes’ novel Mimoun depends completely on the orientalist discourse which, according to Edward Said, the Western world has created and reaffirmed on the Arab world. In fact, the novel narrates the life of Manuel, a Spanish professor who emigrates to Morocco, believing that there he will find the favourable conditions to develop as a teacher and writer. However, as days go by, Manuel begins to experience a progressive decline in his behaviour as well as in his habits. This process of regression may be understood from an orientalist view, since Manuel finally does nothing but “Arabize” himself.La novela Mimoun de Rafael Chirbes depende completamente del discurso orientalista que, a decir de Edward Said, Occidente ha creado y reafirmado en torno al mundo árabe. En efecto, la obra narra la vida de Manuel, un profesor español que emigra a Marruecos convencido de que en el susodicho espacio encontrará las condiciones propicias para desarrollarse como profesor y como escritor. Sin embargo, conforme se suceden los días, Manuel comienza a experimentar una degradación progresiva tanto en su conducta como en sus hábitos. Este proceso de “involución” puede entenderse desde una óptica orientalista, pues finalmente Manuel no hace sino “arabizarse”.