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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Morocco, 1941. With France having fallen to Nazi occupation, twelve-year-old Jewish girl Josie has fled with her family to Casablanca, where they await safe passage to America. Life here is as intense as the sun, every sight, smell and sound overwhelming to the senses in a city filled with extraordinary characters. It’s a world away from the trouble back home—and Josie loves it.
Seventy years later, another new arrival in the intoxicating port city, Zoe, is struggling—with her marriage, her baby daughter and her new life as an expat in an unfamiliar place. But when she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s bedroom, Zoe enters the inner world of young Josie, who once looked out on the same view of the Atlantic Ocean, but who knew a very different Casablanca.
It’s not long before Zoe begins to see her adopted city through Josie’s eyes. But can a new perspective help her turn tragedy into hope, and find the comfort she needs to heal her broken heart?
My main problem with this book is my active dislike of Zoe from when she first goes out with her baby, in the heat, in a strange county, with no money and gets lost. If it hadn't been a book club choice I think I'd have ditched it there and then. However, I'm glad I didn't because overall it's a good story with lots of interesting facts about Casablanca during wartime.
I think another issue of mine is the writing. Most of the book is Josie's diary which, as she is a child, is written in a childish fashion. Unfortunately I felt that Zoe's parts weren't hugely distinguishable from this and I really failed to engage with her character at all.
I realise that I'm unusual in disliking the book (most of my book club really loved it) so perhaps the problem is mine rather than the author's...
Seventy years later, another new arrival in the intoxicating port city, Zoe, is struggling—with her marriage, her baby daughter and her new life as an expat in an unfamiliar place. But when she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s bedroom, Zoe enters the inner world of young Josie, who once looked out on the same view of the Atlantic Ocean, but who knew a very different Casablanca.
It’s not long before Zoe begins to see her adopted city through Josie’s eyes. But can a new perspective help her turn tragedy into hope, and find the comfort she needs to heal her broken heart?
My main problem with this book is my active dislike of Zoe from when she first goes out with her baby, in the heat, in a strange county, with no money and gets lost. If it hadn't been a book club choice I think I'd have ditched it there and then. However, I'm glad I didn't because overall it's a good story with lots of interesting facts about Casablanca during wartime.
I think another issue of mine is the writing. Most of the book is Josie's diary which, as she is a child, is written in a childish fashion. Unfortunately I felt that Zoe's parts weren't hugely distinguishable from this and I really failed to engage with her character at all.
I realise that I'm unusual in disliking the book (most of my book club really loved it) so perhaps the problem is mine rather than the author's...
emotional
informative
fast-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
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
I enjoyed getting to learn more about WWII as it effected Casablanca. I liked the idea of finding a hidden diary. I pretty much hated the ending, for both storylines.
3 Stars
3 Stars
The best book I've read in 2022, so far, and I think it will be hard to bet. It had such a great ending; I cried through the last 30 minutes. I've already checked out three more books from the same author and I can't wait to get started on them.
Wow, what a story! The narrative starts from the point of view of Zoe; a lonely woman who has just moved to Morocco with her husband and baby. There's a chasm between her and her husband but for what reason? You only find out titbits about her life; she talks a lot about her baby, Grace, and she seems to spend an awful lot of time alone whilst her husband gets up early and works late. Is he avoiding her? Is there something nefarious going on?
We next meet Josie. Josie is the author of a journal that Zoe finds hidden in a box in the attic of the house they are renting. Josie is a young girl who is describing her family's life and struggles of living in World War II. Her family have escaped France and are waiting on their papers to be able to travel to America by ship. The process for visas and permits takes a long time so the family are living in Morocco for a long period of time. She describes the life and friends she has made and how she feels sad at one day having to leave them.
To say that this novel really tugs at the heart strings is an understatement. Personally, I had to go and have a cuddle with my partner because I just did not expect the ending. I kind of figured that Josie's dad would end up dead because he was helping the resistance. But what happened to Josie and the rest of her family was horrific. The real kicker was not figuring out Zoe's secret.
You travel along both Josie's journey but also Zoe's. Both are full of adventure and growing up but both have endured so much tragedy. The author makes you feel the pain they would have gone through.
This is definitely worth a read as it hits all the feels.
We next meet Josie. Josie is the author of a journal that Zoe finds hidden in a box in the attic of the house they are renting. Josie is a young girl who is describing her family's life and struggles of living in World War II. Her family have escaped France and are waiting on their papers to be able to travel to America by ship. The process for visas and permits takes a long time so the family are living in Morocco for a long period of time. She describes the life and friends she has made and how she feels sad at one day having to leave them.
To say that this novel really tugs at the heart strings is an understatement. Personally, I had to go and have a cuddle with my partner because I just did not expect the ending. I kind of figured that Josie's dad would end up dead because he was helping the resistance. But what happened to Josie and the rest of her family was horrific. The real kicker was not figuring out Zoe's secret.
You travel along both Josie's journey but also Zoe's. Both are full of adventure and growing up but both have endured so much tragedy. The author makes you feel the pain they would have gone through.
This is definitely worth a read as it hits all the feels.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
3.5-4 stars.
I love WWII historical fiction and I’m always excited to read something with a different perspective. Set in Morocco, the story was different a “fresh” take on a time in history I’ve read a lot. I absolutely loved Josie’s story and I could have read all about her and her family and left out Zoe’s story easily. Zoe was harder to connect to- I had figured out the big “surprise” fairly early on and I found myself almost… annoyed that it was leading down the path for the big plot twist.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
I love WWII historical fiction and I’m always excited to read something with a different perspective. Set in Morocco, the story was different a “fresh” take on a time in history I’ve read a lot. I absolutely loved Josie’s story and I could have read all about her and her family and left out Zoe’s story easily. Zoe was harder to connect to- I had figured out the big “surprise” fairly early on and I found myself almost… annoyed that it was leading down the path for the big plot twist.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautiful historical fiction about refugees in Casablanca during WWII, intertwined with modern day experiences and both with themes of family and love.
this books was kinda mids. maybe it was because it was so similar to the last book i read so i was just kind of bored the entire time or maybe it was the writing i’m not sure. it was still good and i liked the messages it brings out but there wasn’t any WOW moment for me