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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
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Povestitoarea din Casablanca a fost o alegere spontană, bazată pe un gând ce a apărut din senin. Cunoșteam deja un pic stilul de scriere al autoarei, v-am mai povestit aici despre cărțile sale, dar tot aveam emoții. Mai ales că, așa cum se pare că îmi stă în fire în ultima vreme, nu căutasem nimic, nimic despre această poveste înainte. Îmi place acum să caut alte păreri după ce termin de citit și de scris despre o carte. Simt că intru într-un fel de dialog literar cu alți iubitori de carte, într-un carusel al emoțiilor transmise, al amintirilor lăsate în urmă.
Povestitoarea din Casablanca este un roman pe care îl poți pierde ușor printre amintirile lăsate de alte romane mai pline, mai bogate în detalii, arhitectură, dramatism, încărcătură emoțională. Dar este un roman pe care, atunci când vei privi atent în suflet, ți-l vei aduce aminte în ciuda simplității sale. De ce spun asta? Pentru că este ca o sărutare caldă, ca o răsuflare de ușurare, venită atunci când sufletul are mai multă nevoie. Finalul este cel care va rămâne mereu deschis, într-un colț încărcat de lumină, dar acoperit totuși de un strat de durere și vindecare.
Nu pot fi mai explicită de atât în legătură cu deznodământul. Vă spun doar că nu-l prevăzusem nici măcar o secundă, că mărturisirea a venit ca o lovitură puternică, o izbitură nemiloasă în toate sentimentele și scenariile mele. Atunci, ca printr-o magie, am revăzut tot ce se întâmplase, tot ce îmi scăpase, poate, la prima vedere. Și mă miram de faptul că nu fusesem suficient de atentă la toate ancorele lăsate în urmă. Ancore ale durerii într-un ocean de pierderi, alegeri și nesiguranțe.
Povestitoarea din Casablanca a fost o alegere spontană, bazată pe un gând ce a apărut din senin. Cunoșteam deja un pic stilul de scriere al autoarei, v-am mai povestit aici despre cărțile sale, dar tot aveam emoții. Mai ales că, așa cum se pare că îmi stă în fire în ultima vreme, nu căutasem nimic, nimic despre această poveste înainte. Îmi place acum să caut alte păreri după ce termin de citit și de scris despre o carte. Simt că intru într-un fel de dialog literar cu alți iubitori de carte, într-un carusel al emoțiilor transmise, al amintirilor lăsate în urmă.
Povestitoarea din Casablanca este un roman pe care îl poți pierde ușor printre amintirile lăsate de alte romane mai pline, mai bogate în detalii, arhitectură, dramatism, încărcătură emoțională. Dar este un roman pe care, atunci când vei privi atent în suflet, ți-l vei aduce aminte în ciuda simplității sale. De ce spun asta? Pentru că este ca o sărutare caldă, ca o răsuflare de ușurare, venită atunci când sufletul are mai multă nevoie. Finalul este cel care va rămâne mereu deschis, într-un colț încărcat de lumină, dar acoperit totuși de un strat de durere și vindecare.
Nu pot fi mai explicită de atât în legătură cu deznodământul. Vă spun doar că nu-l prevăzusem nici măcar o secundă, că mărturisirea a venit ca o lovitură puternică, o izbitură nemiloasă în toate sentimentele și scenariile mele. Atunci, ca printr-o magie, am revăzut tot ce se întâmplase, tot ce îmi scăpase, poate, la prima vedere. Și mă miram de faptul că nu fusesem suficient de atentă la toate ancorele lăsate în urmă. Ancore ale durerii într-un ocean de pierderi, alegeri și nesiguranțe.
So boring. Storyline: good, original, slow, predictable. Ok weekend read if the power is out. Otherwise, I’d pick a more fast paced interesting book.
I thought this book was fascinating. It was a piece of WW2 history that I knew nothing about. At first, I couldn't really get into Zoe's chapters. I was hooked on Josie's diary entries, and wanted to focus all on that. I knew there was something major in Zoe's story - there was a purpose behind the quilt and the strained relationship with her husband, but I NEVER would have suspected what it was. And then all of the pieces that struck me as odd or repetitive about Zoe's chapters started to make sense. I also really appreciated how the author tied together the past and the present - Josie's family during WW2, Zoe's work in the Center. In the end, I thought this was a really well written book - and I would recommend it.
*I read this as part of the 2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge (advanced) - "A book with two POVs"
*I read this as part of the 2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge (advanced) - "A book with two POVs"
Some interesting aspects, but I felt like the book dragged a lot (or at least didn't catch me) and it featured one of my absolute most hated "plot twists."
Like The Skylark's Secret by Fiona Valpy, The Storyteller of Casablanca tells two stories in two timelines, and one is a story of World War II. As with most books using this approach, one story can be more powerful than the other. In this case, it is Josie's story of the war. Overall, the history is interesting, and the location is fascinating. However, the emotion of the book is not what I expected.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/12/the-storyteller-of-casablanca.html
Reviewed for NetGalley
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/12/the-storyteller-of-casablanca.html
Reviewed for NetGalley
Could not get invested in the characters. I read about half and then skipped to the end to see what Zoe’s incessant need to wash her hands was all about. She drove me nuts and then I find out that her grief over losing her daughter has messed with her so then I felt like a jerk but until that point I found her to be weak and annoying. And while Josie seemed likeable I still just lost interest. This is my second book by this author and I think it will be my last. Just not my style.
This is an incredibly captivating five-star dual timeline historical fiction novel set in the exotic city of Casablanca in 1941 and then seventy years later. Inspired by refugees fleeing Europe during the war years, Valpy explores the challenges they faced and highlights the migrant crisis in North Africa.
One timeline focuses on the Duval family as they arrive in Casablanca after fleeing Paris when the Germans invaded. Removed from the war back home, the family settles into life in this exciting city as they await onward passage to America. Valpy makes this vibrant city come alive with such intensity that readers have no difficulty understanding daily life in this intoxicating port city.
The second timeline focuses on the Harris family who’ve accepted a five-year posting and recently arrived in Casablanca seeking a fresh start for their struggling marriage. They move into the home previously occupied by the Duvals. Valpy clearly paints a beautiful picture with words enabling readers to instantly immerse themselves in the culture and time frame. The denouement is spectacular as Valpy merges the timelines and takes readers by surprise with a plot twist they won't see coming!
At first, I groaned when I realized I was reading an all too familiar ‘discovering a diary in present time and reading about past events,’ scenario, but thankfully Valpy was able to keep me interested with a spectacular plot, enchanting setting, and interesting characters. Unique to this novel is the incorporating of Operation Torch, the expat experience, and the North African Migrant crisis.
My only issue was that I felt the 13-year-old Josie sounded far wiser than her years and didn’t seem to have a unique voice.
Publishes September 21, 2021
I was generously gifted this advance copy by Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
One timeline focuses on the Duval family as they arrive in Casablanca after fleeing Paris when the Germans invaded. Removed from the war back home, the family settles into life in this exciting city as they await onward passage to America. Valpy makes this vibrant city come alive with such intensity that readers have no difficulty understanding daily life in this intoxicating port city.
The second timeline focuses on the Harris family who’ve accepted a five-year posting and recently arrived in Casablanca seeking a fresh start for their struggling marriage. They move into the home previously occupied by the Duvals. Valpy clearly paints a beautiful picture with words enabling readers to instantly immerse themselves in the culture and time frame. The denouement is spectacular as Valpy merges the timelines and takes readers by surprise with a plot twist they won't see coming!
At first, I groaned when I realized I was reading an all too familiar ‘discovering a diary in present time and reading about past events,’ scenario, but thankfully Valpy was able to keep me interested with a spectacular plot, enchanting setting, and interesting characters. Unique to this novel is the incorporating of Operation Torch, the expat experience, and the North African Migrant crisis.
My only issue was that I felt the 13-year-old Josie sounded far wiser than her years and didn’t seem to have a unique voice.
Publishes September 21, 2021
I was generously gifted this advance copy by Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A beautiful, captivating story. I enjoy dual timelines and this one takes place in Casablanca in 1941 and 2010. I loved the descriptions of Casablanca.
What I read: The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy
Why I picked it up: It’s our book club selection for March.
How I read it: On paper, over almost a week, took me some time to get into it.
What it’s about: Zoe is an expat in Casablanca due to her husband’s job. She finds Josie’s, a 12 year old girl, journal from her time there as a refugee in 1941. The writing is lovely, and I appreciated a new location explored for a WWII historical novel.
What I liked: The intertwining stories were a delight.
What I disliked: I wanted a longer resolution to Zoe’s story. I think it wrapped up pretty quickly, but I wanted more of her and Tom’s marriage.
Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and absolutely!!
Why I picked it up: It’s our book club selection for March.
How I read it: On paper, over almost a week, took me some time to get into it.
What it’s about: Zoe is an expat in Casablanca due to her husband’s job. She finds Josie’s, a 12 year old girl, journal from her time there as a refugee in 1941. The writing is lovely, and I appreciated a new location explored for a WWII historical novel.
What I liked: The intertwining stories were a delight.
What I disliked: I wanted a longer resolution to Zoe’s story. I think it wrapped up pretty quickly, but I wanted more of her and Tom’s marriage.
Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and absolutely!!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No