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nishadl 's review for:
In the Country of Others
by Leïla Slimani
An uncomfortable book that leaves me right in the middle with my rating.
On one hand, I disagree with some reviewers that mentioned the constant change in narrator held them back from a deep dive and relating to a fully formed character. I actually found the way this was done was quite easy to keep up with and made for interesting point of views that challenged each other and the theme of that chapter. After some post-reading clarity, I do agree however, that this felt like it was written by a French sympathizer with white feminist ideals at the forefront. I also admit that I was confused by Slimani’s take on the French and Moroccans at the beginning.
The overarching themes of giving up freedom, excitement, and more to raise children, take care of parents and obey husbands could be relatable and many of the words written felt poetic, but the instances, occasions and the underlying dissatisfaction Mathilde, a white women and Selma, a Moroccan with internalized racism, have for Moroccan people, strips all empathy you have for these characters away.
On one hand, I disagree with some reviewers that mentioned the constant change in narrator held them back from a deep dive and relating to a fully formed character. I actually found the way this was done was quite easy to keep up with and made for interesting point of views that challenged each other and the theme of that chapter. After some post-reading clarity, I do agree however, that this felt like it was written by a French sympathizer with white feminist ideals at the forefront. I also admit that I was confused by Slimani’s take on the French and Moroccans at the beginning.
The overarching themes of giving up freedom, excitement, and more to raise children, take care of parents and obey husbands could be relatable and many of the words written felt poetic, but the instances, occasions and the underlying dissatisfaction Mathilde, a white women and Selma, a Moroccan with internalized racism, have for Moroccan people, strips all empathy you have for these characters away.