A review by jasminegalsreadinglog
The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy

5.0

A paragraph from the book ' You know, I used to think of myself as a tiny drop in the ocean of life. But I've come to see that I am not a drop in the ocean: I'm an entire ocean in one tiny drop. Some things are impossible to move on from - instead, you have to find a way to live with them. The secret is to open your heart, even as it breaks. Because that's when you discover that you have the capacity to contain it all - the pain and the love, the dark and the light. Just like the ocean.
The above paragraph sums up this beautiful novel. This novel is set in dual timelines of 1941 and 2010 and is the story of 12 year old Josie and Kate who finds Josie's diary. Set in Casablanca this novel takes us through the beautiful landscape of Morocco and I could picture that stunning place through the author's description.
This book deals with very tough subjects like second world war, anxiety, trauma, bereavement and refugee crisis but there is a beauty in how the author has shown the joy of healing and a satisfaction of offering that helping hand to someone in need. The amalgamation of different cultures that the author has portrayed through the eyes of a 12 year old is just brilliant. No matter what I write about this stunning novel I won't be doing it justice. I will say that this is definitely one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read!