Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
Having read and enjoyed The Skylark’s Secret by Fiona Valpy, I had to request this book. I was not disappointed. It is a story written in dual timelines. Zoe, young , married with a baby, goes to live in Casablanca when her husband accepts a posting there. He works for a shipping company and spends a lot of time at work. Zoe is befriended by some of the other expats, and is encouraged to take part in some of their activities. One day, she finds a loose floorboard in her daughter’s bedroom. When she tries to fix it, she discovers a wooden box containing a journal, hidden underneath. The journal was written in 1941, by a 13 year old Jewish girl, who had fled, with her family, from their home in Paris to escape the Nazis. It describes life in Casablanca during the war years and the difficulties refugees were facing there.
I loved the little fables interspersed in the story and also liked the descriptions of the Medina, the people, the landscape and life in general.
I was not expecting the final turn in the story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Fiona Valpy and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this lovely story.
I loved the little fables interspersed in the story and also liked the descriptions of the Medina, the people, the landscape and life in general.
I was not expecting the final turn in the story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Fiona Valpy and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this lovely story.
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I kindly received an eARC advance copy of this book to read and review though NetGalley.
I have read several of Fiona Valpy’s other books set in France in WW2, and was excited to read this new one.
The Storyteller of Casablanca tells a story of Josie, a 13 year old half Jewish refugee from France in 1941 and Zoe, a British expat in 2010.
Zoe discovers a journal and wooden box under a loose floorboard in a room of her house in Casablanca.
As she reads the story left behind by Josie, she discovers an old story of Josie’s family waiting to get their papers to travel to America during the war.
Zoe becomes involved in an expat community but also starts volunteering at a refugee centre for women and children. The melting pot of culture in 1940 is not dissimilar to 2010.
There is an undercurrent of tension and sadness in both stories that only comes together right towards the end of the book. The slow unveiling is worth it though. The city is beautifully described in both women’s words.
I have read several of Fiona Valpy’s other books set in France in WW2, and was excited to read this new one.
The Storyteller of Casablanca tells a story of Josie, a 13 year old half Jewish refugee from France in 1941 and Zoe, a British expat in 2010.
Zoe discovers a journal and wooden box under a loose floorboard in a room of her house in Casablanca.
As she reads the story left behind by Josie, she discovers an old story of Josie’s family waiting to get their papers to travel to America during the war.
Zoe becomes involved in an expat community but also starts volunteering at a refugee centre for women and children. The melting pot of culture in 1940 is not dissimilar to 2010.
There is an undercurrent of tension and sadness in both stories that only comes together right towards the end of the book. The slow unveiling is worth it though. The city is beautifully described in both women’s words.