Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book, and I especially liked the ending, because we were kept in the dark about why Zoe was struggling so much with her husband. In retrospect, I should have guessed what was going on with her, especially because I've read other books with a similar premise. But the truth is that I didn't figure it out and when it was revealed, a bunch of things fell into place and I liked that. The dual timeline was nothing unusual, but I loved how the author made the connection between the two people, Josie and Zoe. There were times when the story got bogged down, but the ending really lifted the entire book up for me and I could definitely see myself recommending this. I really enjoy historical fiction and I find myself drawn to WWII books, especially when the focus is about the people, which this is. But this was new to me because I have read very few situated in Africa (one or two), but definitely none in Casablanca. And I loved the connection with Josephine Baker! I also found all of the resistance stuff really interesting and I liked how Josie was able to take part in it with her school project. I also loved all the stuff about quilts, although I disagree with the author about how quilts were used in the underground railroad, although it certainly makes a nice story. Two of my students and I read several papers about this topic and while I know there is some disagreement about this, most believe it's more fable than truth. Still, I did like how the author tied it in with the women refugees and what they were going through.
If you like historical fiction, WWII stories, or realistic fiction and you're looking for something a little different, you should definitely check this out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book, and I especially liked the ending, because we were kept in the dark about why Zoe was struggling so much with her husband. In retrospect, I should have guessed what was going on with her, especially because I've read other books with a similar premise. But the truth is that I didn't figure it out and when it was revealed, a bunch of things fell into place and I liked that. The dual timeline was nothing unusual, but I loved how the author made the connection between the two people, Josie and Zoe. There were times when the story got bogged down, but the ending really lifted the entire book up for me and I could definitely see myself recommending this. I really enjoy historical fiction and I find myself drawn to WWII books, especially when the focus is about the people, which this is. But this was new to me because I have read very few situated in Africa (one or two), but definitely none in Casablanca. And I loved the connection with Josephine Baker! I also found all of the resistance stuff really interesting and I liked how Josie was able to take part in it with her school project. I also loved all the stuff about quilts, although I disagree with the author about how quilts were used in the underground railroad, although it certainly makes a nice story. Two of my students and I read several papers about this topic and while I know there is some disagreement about this, most believe it's more fable than truth. Still, I did like how the author tied it in with the women refugees and what they were going through.
If you like historical fiction, WWII stories, or realistic fiction and you're looking for something a little different, you should definitely check this out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a beautifully layered novel with dual timelines set in both WW2 era and modern-day Morocco. I didn’t know too much about Casablanca beyond the Humphrey Bogart movie (which I only watch when forced to do so). But I knew it was a city in turmoil following the Nazi takeover of France and its territories. The novel does a great job of briefly summarizing its historical and geographical significance. I also didn’t realize what an important stopping point it became for so many refugees during WW2 -- particularly Jewish refugees. To this day, Morocco continues to host many refugees fleeing conflict and famine, mostly from other African nations. I think the author did a great job of connecting time and place, past and present. I also loved the way that the author wove in real-life heroes throughout the story including Josephine Baker and Helene Benatar.
I adored this book. It is a tragic but uplifting story about the importance of finding our voices and telling our stories in our own way and in our own time. I was so thoroughly immersed in this book, and connected to the characters, I rooted for them, mourned with them, and cried for them. Despite the heartbreaking twist ending (that I never saw coming!), I felt the story was inspiring and hopeful.
I will also note that as a beginning quiltmaker myself, I loved the focus on this art form as a way to heal and tell our stories.
I adored this book. It is a tragic but uplifting story about the importance of finding our voices and telling our stories in our own way and in our own time. I was so thoroughly immersed in this book, and connected to the characters, I rooted for them, mourned with them, and cried for them. Despite the heartbreaking twist ending (that I never saw coming!), I felt the story was inspiring and hopeful.
I will also note that as a beginning quiltmaker myself, I loved the focus on this art form as a way to heal and tell our stories.
This book started very slowly for me but ended up strong. It was hard to read because I was so bored as nothing seem to happen and the author chose a passive third person writing form as opposed to a first person action account. I don’t like books that tell rather than show. I found the language overly dramatic and a bit ‘Hallmark-like”. She has flowery passages with sentences that belong in a Winnie the Pooh episode rather than in a book about war. I found that overly annoying, like this passage: “…you are stronger and braver than you know, ….love and courage are stronger than fear, it’s only when you let go of fear and grief that you will find the freedom to be brave and to fully love”
Another aspect I did not like was that she gave the book away at the very beginning of the story. She never explained why Zoe and her husband were in a strained marriage and the most common causes are unfaithfulness or the loss of a child. Since she doesn’t talk about it, and she has time to do all kinds of activities that would be impossible with a baby, like going to tea with friends, parties, going to the club, going shopping or quilting for hours. It was pretty clear the baby was dead very soon in the story, like page 68. So there was no build up because I already knew what had happened.
While the journal part and Josie’s story was interesting, it was not more remarkable than other WWII refugee stories.
Another aspect I did not like was that she gave the book away at the very beginning of the story. She never explained why Zoe and her husband were in a strained marriage and the most common causes are unfaithfulness or the loss of a child. Since she doesn’t talk about it, and she has time to do all kinds of activities that would be impossible with a baby, like going to tea with friends, parties, going to the club, going shopping or quilting for hours. It was pretty clear the baby was dead very soon in the story, like page 68. So there was no build up because I already knew what had happened.
While the journal part and Josie’s story was interesting, it was not more remarkable than other WWII refugee stories.
Zoe's marriage to Tom is on the rocks. When Tom is transferred to Casablanca, Zoe resolves to give their marriage a fresh start.
The house they are quartered in is old. Zoe stumbles upon an old diary written by Josie Duval in 1941. The book is written in these two timelines. Zoe's life alternates with Josie's. In many places, the 13-year-old Josie becomes a pillar of strength to the much older Zoe.
The book is brilliantly written. The sounds and sights of Casablanca in 1941 and 2010 are so vividly described it seems you can actually experience them. Zoe's difficulties with dermatitis, her excessive caution while she makes quilts, and her internal dilemma regarding her marriage and her husband tug at your heartstrings. Her baby Grace is the only ray of hope in her life.
Josie's various difficulties are also well-written. The constant fear of the Gestapo, the hope they have of leaving Africa and moving to America, and her friendships will strike a chord.
This is a moving saga of two women, separated by time, living their lives and trying to make the best of it.
5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.
The house they are quartered in is old. Zoe stumbles upon an old diary written by Josie Duval in 1941. The book is written in these two timelines. Zoe's life alternates with Josie's. In many places, the 13-year-old Josie becomes a pillar of strength to the much older Zoe.
The book is brilliantly written. The sounds and sights of Casablanca in 1941 and 2010 are so vividly described it seems you can actually experience them. Zoe's difficulties with dermatitis, her excessive caution while she makes quilts, and her internal dilemma regarding her marriage and her husband tug at your heartstrings. Her baby Grace is the only ray of hope in her life.
Josie's various difficulties are also well-written. The constant fear of the Gestapo, the hope they have of leaving Africa and moving to America, and her friendships will strike a chord.
This is a moving saga of two women, separated by time, living their lives and trying to make the best of it.
5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.
What a wonderful book, and such a sense of place with the setting in Morocco. I read this for a challenge for books set in Africa. I will definitely read more by her.
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The book felt a bit slow in the beginning and a bit frustrating when the main character kept bringing up something bad in their past but not sharing what it was. But at about 90% of the book it all was piecing together and ended in the most special way. I found it really interesting reading about someone struggling with hand washing - as silly as that sounds. But I feel quite alone with that sometimes. The history of Casablanca during war time was interesting to learn about and I did enjoy that you could see the development of Josie’s writing through her journal, and you could tell the difference between chapters of Zoe’s vs. Josie’s as to which storyline you were reading. I found the quilt detail a bit strange at times but the ending really tied it all together. I was crying by the end! I did really enjoy the book in the end, largely because of the special ending.
I think maybe 3.5 stars. It was a bit predictable, I enjoyed how she described Casablanca
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started and finished date - 25.09.24 to 27.09.24.
My rating - Two stars.
I did enjoyed this book but didn't love it and I found this book was dull, Both the atmosphere and world building also the writing was fine. The paced of plot felt too slow for my liking and the ending of the book was fine also the cover of book was fine. The characters was okay but I feel like they needed to be flash out bit more.
My rating - Two stars.
I did enjoyed this book but didn't love it and I found this book was dull, Both the atmosphere and world building also the writing was fine. The paced of plot felt too slow for my liking and the ending of the book was fine also the cover of book was fine. The characters was okay but I feel like they needed to be flash out bit more.