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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gorgeous book which flicks flawlessly between life in modern day Morocco and the war. I had no idea of the involvement Morocco had in the war before reading this book and often found myself googling things as I read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this one. The story was intriguing and I loved the historical element. I liked but did not love Valpy’s writing, but that may be because she was trying to write as Josie, a child. The ending was unexpected but I like how she tied all the loose ends up nicely, even if it was a little unrealistic. Overall an enjoyable, immersive story based in history.
The last two chapters ruined me. What a surprising and excellent find.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
One Book. Two Stories. Both Compelling. This is a story with a LOT going on and a LOT of intricacies that it seems most (at least those on Goodreads so far, about 5 weeks before publication) miss out on touching on. This is effectively *both* a historical fiction (which I think it will ultimately be marketed as) of a young Jewish girl in WWII who leaves a diary behind (where does that ring a bell? ;) ) *and* a modern day psychological drama. Valpy does a remarkable job of bringing a sensuous and visceral understanding of both periods of Casablanca and Morocco, and both periods and their relevant issues - WWII / Nazis / Resistance / Operation Torch and modern shipping conglomerates / expats / refugees / immigrants - are shown in a degree of realism not often seen. Truly, either story could have been expanded a bit more - perhaps by extending out the later chapters of both - and stood equally well as standalone books. Which is high praise, as few dual timeline historical fiction books can pull this off, in my own reading experience at least. Truly a remarkable book, and very much recommended.
I’ve read a lot of books set in World War II but I’ve never read one set in Casablanca. Very interesting view on the war. A few surprises towards the end, at least for me.