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A review by beccakateblogs
The Girls from Alexandria by Carol Cooper
The Girls from Alexandria is a deep dive into a complex past and a determined present. With an intriguing premise; a novel with an older protagonist and a trail that spans two timelines, it certainly keeps you guessing.
The story is told in a now and then perspective. Following Nadia in the present, in hospital, and Nadia in the past as a young girl living with her sister Simone and family in Alexandria. We follow her story as she looks for her sister, the sister no one really believes she has.
The snippets of Nadia’s life in Alexandria paint an interesting picture, one surrounded by love and family. Her present day as a 70 year old woman is a far more lonely affair, but with memory issues plaguing her, it’s hard for her to get on the path to begin her search for her sister, especially from her hospital bed and relying on others.
It’s told in the first person which allows a lot of emotion to be conveyed from Nadia and we really go through her journey with her. As both a child and adult we grow up alongside her and feel her heartache as her sister disappears. The fact she is seventy in the present timeline is nice as I haven’t read that many books written, even in part, older protagonists. This is a refreshing change from the norm!
The inclusion of words from other languages, primarily French but also Arabic, is a great touch and makes the story feel more authentic. It also gives more of a glimpse into their way of life which I enjoyed. The location is stunning and in stark contrast to the London hospital. The vivid and colourful descriptions, especially of the beaches were a wonderful addition to the story. The history of Egypt is also interesting as I knew little about it, but the way it’s woven in through the story and the retelling of Nadia’s childhood is brilliant.
We really enter Nadia’s world and as the novel progresses, I found myself more and more eager to find out what was wrong with her and also where her sister was. The backstory of her and her family’s history that unravels is a real rollercoaster and contains some hard-hitting and emotional elements. Don’t let this put you off as I feel it adds to Nadia’s character and really gives the impression of how resilient and strong she is and has been throughout her seventy years.
The Girls from Alexandria is a novel with a fifty-year journey, a beautiful backdrop and a fascinating protagonist.
The story is told in a now and then perspective. Following Nadia in the present, in hospital, and Nadia in the past as a young girl living with her sister Simone and family in Alexandria. We follow her story as she looks for her sister, the sister no one really believes she has.
The snippets of Nadia’s life in Alexandria paint an interesting picture, one surrounded by love and family. Her present day as a 70 year old woman is a far more lonely affair, but with memory issues plaguing her, it’s hard for her to get on the path to begin her search for her sister, especially from her hospital bed and relying on others.
It’s told in the first person which allows a lot of emotion to be conveyed from Nadia and we really go through her journey with her. As both a child and adult we grow up alongside her and feel her heartache as her sister disappears. The fact she is seventy in the present timeline is nice as I haven’t read that many books written, even in part, older protagonists. This is a refreshing change from the norm!
The inclusion of words from other languages, primarily French but also Arabic, is a great touch and makes the story feel more authentic. It also gives more of a glimpse into their way of life which I enjoyed. The location is stunning and in stark contrast to the London hospital. The vivid and colourful descriptions, especially of the beaches were a wonderful addition to the story. The history of Egypt is also interesting as I knew little about it, but the way it’s woven in through the story and the retelling of Nadia’s childhood is brilliant.
We really enter Nadia’s world and as the novel progresses, I found myself more and more eager to find out what was wrong with her and also where her sister was. The backstory of her and her family’s history that unravels is a real rollercoaster and contains some hard-hitting and emotional elements. Don’t let this put you off as I feel it adds to Nadia’s character and really gives the impression of how resilient and strong she is and has been throughout her seventy years.
The Girls from Alexandria is a novel with a fifty-year journey, a beautiful backdrop and a fascinating protagonist.