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Le Marin de Casablanca
Tall, brilliant and ambitious, eighteen-year-old sailor Guillaume has the world at his feet when he steps onto the shores of Casablanca in April 1940. But his dreams of travelling the world are cut short when he dies in a warship explosion in the harbour of Casablanca.
Sixty-five years later in 2005, as Loubna fights to open a cinema in the bustling harbourside city, the young woman discovers the mystery of the sailor from Casablanca . . . and a suitcase full of her grandfather Guillaume's love letters. But could it be that the boy everyone has supposed dead for over half a century is still alive?
And if so - did he run away with one of his countless girlfriends all these years ago?
As Loubna searches for answers, she finds herself swept up in an epic story of love, passion, intrigue and betrayal, set in the enchantingly glamorous heart of Golden Age Casablanca.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2019
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April 3, 2021
Well, that is six hours of my life that I'll never get back.
That is my first thought upon finishing THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA. I was so disappointed to reach the end, not because I didn't want it to end, but because I wanted it to end! It has no ending. How can that be? What the hell happened, I have no idea but the entire story I had spent the past six hours being swept away by just fell flat in the end.
It's 1940 and 21 year old Guillaume Straub gives his shore leave to friend Felix where their warship has been docked in the Casablanca harbour for the past two years. He has things he must attend to, he assures Felix, and waves him on his way. And then, the unthinkable happens. A massive explosion from their ship taking the lives of all those remaining onboard...including Guillaume. Felix is breathless. That should have been him. Guillaume had shore leave; he didn't. So he should have been aboard the ship when it exploded. But he wasn't...and Guillaume was.
Devastated at the loss of his friend, Felix travels to France to the Somme where Guillaume's family live to deliver a letter from their captain and his words of condolence. The depth of their despair was almost too much for Felix to endure so instead when they invited him in he shared with them stories and amusing anecdotes of their brilliant and ambitious son. Guillaume, who joined the French Navy at aged sixteen because he wanted to see the world and the Navy was his gateway to it.
But as time goes on Liliane, Guillaume's sister, travels to Paris to see her brother's grieving beloved Ginette only to learn that she has fled the city with "him". Him? Surely not Guillaume? He's alive? That would make him a deserter but he's alive? She cannot wait to return home to share this news with her parents. But it is no longer safe. The Germans have arrived and are taking over the country as their own and with Felix by her side, she flees to his sister's some many miles away (a French place I cannot remember the names), where she will be reunited with her parents. But energised with the hope that Guillaume is alive.
In 2005 in modern day Casablanca, Loubna (I'm not sure we even learnt her surname) has always longed to learn more about her grandfather of whom she knows nothing about. Her father died when she herself was a baby and was unable to impart any knowledge though thankfully her "adopted" grandmother Zayna could. Sadly, all that she could share was that her grandmother uttered Guillaume's name as the father of her newborn son, Tarek, before she herself passed away. Zayna herself didn't even know the woman's name who had given birth in a military hospital and she was merely the nurse who attended her. With no one left to care for the child, Zayna took him home and brought him up with her husband as their own.
Now Lounba is determined to uncover the truth about her grandfather and who both he and her grandmother were. During her quest for answers, she stumbles upon some information that sparks her curiosity about her family history and in digging deeper, she discovers more than could have imagined about her grandfather and the question mark over his death.
Having come into possession a suitcase full of love letters written to the charismatic sailor, Loubna is given an insight into the man that was her grandfather and his escapades. It turns out that Guillaume was something of a Lothario, charming a different woman into his bed every night and then discarding them once they have outlived their use. Was one of these women her grandmother? Is she able to unravel the mystery behind the man and discover the truth about her grandfather once and for all?
I actually thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was presented to the reader through a series of what is almost like diary excerpts from the various people in Guillaume's life. From his mother, his father and his sister to his childhood sweetheart, his lover and his friend Felix. I love how we are given a perspective of Guillaume through their eyes even if he appears as someone else to another. And I especially love how Guillaume is the main character/feature of this story without ever having to offer his own narrative. The story is told completely through the eyes of all those around Guillaume but never Guillaume himself. It is a very clever concept and immediately draws the reader in. And it makes Guillaume seem more of an enigma, adding to the mystery that surrounds his life and his questionable death.
The setting being Morocco is also such a different concept. But the war was just as alive there as it was everywhere else in Europe, Britain, Africa, Italy and so forth. And the author brought it alive with atmosphere from the harbour to the cinema Guillaume was so enamoured with to the red light district. And then to give it that almost ghostly feel in the modern day Casablanca where everything seems just out of a reach. The streets of Casablanca seemed almost deserted that I could only picture Loubna there, along with whichever friend accompanied her. It was a strange sensation to feel it had once been alive and it now it seemed dead. Although that is not true of the place, which no doubt is generally bustling with tourists and locals, but that is the feeling I got throughout Loubna's narrative...how empty Casablanca felt without the truth of her heritage.
Originally written in French, THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA has been translated and despite this I didn't feel as if anything had been lost in translation. I was completely swept away with the story. I couldn't wait to discover the truth and have all the answers to not only my questions but those of Loubna as well. I thought the ending would give me all the answers I was looking for but unfortunately it didn't. Not even a hint. So I am far from satisfied. The ending should wrap, while not everything, enough to give the reader closure and a satisfying conclusion. Of which I have neither. By the time I read the final words I thought - that's it? That's all you have to give me after spending hours lost in this story? I felt robbed and cheated out of a proper ending. And that spoiled the rest of the book for me.
THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA is largely an enjoyable story. It's the ending that ruins it...in the fact that there isn't one. I am still just as clueless as I was beginning the book.
I would like to thank #CharlineMalaval, #NetGalley and #HodderAndStoughton for an ARC of #TheSailorFromCasablanca in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
That is my first thought upon finishing THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA. I was so disappointed to reach the end, not because I didn't want it to end, but because I wanted it to end! It has no ending. How can that be? What the hell happened, I have no idea but the entire story I had spent the past six hours being swept away by just fell flat in the end.
It's 1940 and 21 year old Guillaume Straub gives his shore leave to friend Felix where their warship has been docked in the Casablanca harbour for the past two years. He has things he must attend to, he assures Felix, and waves him on his way. And then, the unthinkable happens. A massive explosion from their ship taking the lives of all those remaining onboard...including Guillaume. Felix is breathless. That should have been him. Guillaume had shore leave; he didn't. So he should have been aboard the ship when it exploded. But he wasn't...and Guillaume was.
Devastated at the loss of his friend, Felix travels to France to the Somme where Guillaume's family live to deliver a letter from their captain and his words of condolence. The depth of their despair was almost too much for Felix to endure so instead when they invited him in he shared with them stories and amusing anecdotes of their brilliant and ambitious son. Guillaume, who joined the French Navy at aged sixteen because he wanted to see the world and the Navy was his gateway to it.
But as time goes on Liliane, Guillaume's sister, travels to Paris to see her brother's grieving beloved Ginette only to learn that she has fled the city with "him". Him? Surely not Guillaume? He's alive? That would make him a deserter but he's alive? She cannot wait to return home to share this news with her parents. But it is no longer safe. The Germans have arrived and are taking over the country as their own and with Felix by her side, she flees to his sister's some many miles away (a French place I cannot remember the names), where she will be reunited with her parents. But energised with the hope that Guillaume is alive.
In 2005 in modern day Casablanca, Loubna (I'm not sure we even learnt her surname) has always longed to learn more about her grandfather of whom she knows nothing about. Her father died when she herself was a baby and was unable to impart any knowledge though thankfully her "adopted" grandmother Zayna could. Sadly, all that she could share was that her grandmother uttered Guillaume's name as the father of her newborn son, Tarek, before she herself passed away. Zayna herself didn't even know the woman's name who had given birth in a military hospital and she was merely the nurse who attended her. With no one left to care for the child, Zayna took him home and brought him up with her husband as their own.
Now Lounba is determined to uncover the truth about her grandfather and who both he and her grandmother were. During her quest for answers, she stumbles upon some information that sparks her curiosity about her family history and in digging deeper, she discovers more than could have imagined about her grandfather and the question mark over his death.
Having come into possession a suitcase full of love letters written to the charismatic sailor, Loubna is given an insight into the man that was her grandfather and his escapades. It turns out that Guillaume was something of a Lothario, charming a different woman into his bed every night and then discarding them once they have outlived their use. Was one of these women her grandmother? Is she able to unravel the mystery behind the man and discover the truth about her grandfather once and for all?
I actually thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was presented to the reader through a series of what is almost like diary excerpts from the various people in Guillaume's life. From his mother, his father and his sister to his childhood sweetheart, his lover and his friend Felix. I love how we are given a perspective of Guillaume through their eyes even if he appears as someone else to another. And I especially love how Guillaume is the main character/feature of this story without ever having to offer his own narrative. The story is told completely through the eyes of all those around Guillaume but never Guillaume himself. It is a very clever concept and immediately draws the reader in. And it makes Guillaume seem more of an enigma, adding to the mystery that surrounds his life and his questionable death.
The setting being Morocco is also such a different concept. But the war was just as alive there as it was everywhere else in Europe, Britain, Africa, Italy and so forth. And the author brought it alive with atmosphere from the harbour to the cinema Guillaume was so enamoured with to the red light district. And then to give it that almost ghostly feel in the modern day Casablanca where everything seems just out of a reach. The streets of Casablanca seemed almost deserted that I could only picture Loubna there, along with whichever friend accompanied her. It was a strange sensation to feel it had once been alive and it now it seemed dead. Although that is not true of the place, which no doubt is generally bustling with tourists and locals, but that is the feeling I got throughout Loubna's narrative...how empty Casablanca felt without the truth of her heritage.
Originally written in French, THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA has been translated and despite this I didn't feel as if anything had been lost in translation. I was completely swept away with the story. I couldn't wait to discover the truth and have all the answers to not only my questions but those of Loubna as well. I thought the ending would give me all the answers I was looking for but unfortunately it didn't. Not even a hint. So I am far from satisfied. The ending should wrap, while not everything, enough to give the reader closure and a satisfying conclusion. Of which I have neither. By the time I read the final words I thought - that's it? That's all you have to give me after spending hours lost in this story? I felt robbed and cheated out of a proper ending. And that spoiled the rest of the book for me.
THE SAILOR FROM CASABLANCA is largely an enjoyable story. It's the ending that ruins it...in the fact that there isn't one. I am still just as clueless as I was beginning the book.
I would like to thank #CharlineMalaval, #NetGalley and #HodderAndStoughton for an ARC of #TheSailorFromCasablanca in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 21, 2020
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I really struggled with this.
With too many people telling the story it felt disjointed.
I found it very difficult to relate to the characters.
This was not for me.
I really struggled with this.
With too many people telling the story it felt disjointed.
I found it very difficult to relate to the characters.
This was not for me.
June 30, 2020
I expected this to be a sort of time-shift romance, judging by the cover. But it transpired to be so much more! It was a lot more in depth and interesting. I found it a little hard to follow at times, but it was worth persevering. An thought provoking read.
June 16, 2020
In 1940, a sailor in the French Navy, Guillaume, is presumed dead when there is an explosion on his ship. His body is never recovered.
In 2005, his granddaughter knows nothing about him but is determined to find out the truth behind who he was and who her grandmother was.
The book is split into chapters which are told from the viewpoints of different characters, both in 1940 and in 2005. All of them are trying to work out what happened to Guillaume. I like the fact that although Guillaume is really the main character in the book, none of the story is told from him point of view. This leaves him as rather a mysterious character and adds to the unknown quality he has. He seems to have many secrets, and none of the other characters truly know who he is.
This is quite well written and easy to get along with. I was expecting it to be quite a romantic tale so I was quite pleased that this isn't actually at the forefront of the story. It is a good mixture of drama, romance and is also a story of the war and of how families, and everyone really, suffered during that time. It also gives some insight into the lives of the sailors themselves whilst in active duty, although I honestly don't know how accurate it is, or how much it has been romanticised for the purposes of the story.
Although the book was relatively enjoyable to read, I wasn't particularly gripped by it and I didn't feel that I engaged well with any of the characters. I'm not sure why this is as there isn't anything obviously wrong with it, but that's just my feeling. Perhaps it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. However I still think if you enjoy light drama and romance, especially around wartime, then you might like this book.
In 2005, his granddaughter knows nothing about him but is determined to find out the truth behind who he was and who her grandmother was.
The book is split into chapters which are told from the viewpoints of different characters, both in 1940 and in 2005. All of them are trying to work out what happened to Guillaume. I like the fact that although Guillaume is really the main character in the book, none of the story is told from him point of view. This leaves him as rather a mysterious character and adds to the unknown quality he has. He seems to have many secrets, and none of the other characters truly know who he is.
This is quite well written and easy to get along with. I was expecting it to be quite a romantic tale so I was quite pleased that this isn't actually at the forefront of the story. It is a good mixture of drama, romance and is also a story of the war and of how families, and everyone really, suffered during that time. It also gives some insight into the lives of the sailors themselves whilst in active duty, although I honestly don't know how accurate it is, or how much it has been romanticised for the purposes of the story.
Although the book was relatively enjoyable to read, I wasn't particularly gripped by it and I didn't feel that I engaged well with any of the characters. I'm not sure why this is as there isn't anything obviously wrong with it, but that's just my feeling. Perhaps it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. However I still think if you enjoy light drama and romance, especially around wartime, then you might like this book.
May 9, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers Hodder and Stroughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Sailor from Casablanca is a story that straddles between two different times; 1940 and 2005. In 1936, Guillaume, a young vibrant man joins the French Navy as a gateway to fulfil his desire to travel and experience the world despite his parents' concerns. In 1940, Hitler strikes and the whole of Europe is in a turmoil. At the same time, Guillaume and his mates are in Casablanca where their ship is berthed. The unthinkable happens when an explosion occurs and destroys the ship with almost everyone in it. At the time of this horrid event, Guillaume is on that ship. When the news of his death reaches his family in France, they are devastated and with the threat of war looming closer, this could be the worst time of their lives.
In 2005, modern day Casablanca, Loubna is a young women with a deep love for the cinema and dreams to open one of her own. In the course of working towards this goal, she stumbles into some information that sparks her curiosity towards her unknown family history. As she digs deeper, she discovers more than she could have ever imagined about her grandfather, his escapades and his questionable death.
This book is two genres in one - Historical and contemporary fiction. First, I loved the fact that the book allowed me to relate with each of the main characters directly as each chapter featured a different character. This allowed the story to be seen from several views and added more suspense to the story.
Secondly, the back story on how the second world war started was a great history lesson especially as it was told from the perspective of the French. Also, learning about the culture and people of Casablanca in the 1940s and in 2005 was a welcome addition. Since it was all new to me, I was really captivated. I might just visit Casablanca soon!
The character I empathized with the most was Helene. I felt her pain and anguish and wished things had turned out differently. The other characters though some were colorful, were either too flawed or not strong enough for my liking.
What I didn't like about this story was how it all ended without a clear conclusion. I also got tired of the characters repeatedly saying the same things over and over. It made it little bit boring at some point to read but because of the mystery behind the story, I forged on. I feel this story had a potential to be better than it turned out to be but it is what it is.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this story. The mystery around Guillaume's death was captivating and this held me bound until I was finished. Despite the unsatisfactory end, I will recommend it to lovers of historical fiction and mystery. Congratulations to the author on her debut.
You can also read my review on my blog at
https://rovingbookwormng.com/2020/05/...
The Sailor from Casablanca is a story that straddles between two different times; 1940 and 2005. In 1936, Guillaume, a young vibrant man joins the French Navy as a gateway to fulfil his desire to travel and experience the world despite his parents' concerns. In 1940, Hitler strikes and the whole of Europe is in a turmoil. At the same time, Guillaume and his mates are in Casablanca where their ship is berthed. The unthinkable happens when an explosion occurs and destroys the ship with almost everyone in it. At the time of this horrid event, Guillaume is on that ship. When the news of his death reaches his family in France, they are devastated and with the threat of war looming closer, this could be the worst time of their lives.
In 2005, modern day Casablanca, Loubna is a young women with a deep love for the cinema and dreams to open one of her own. In the course of working towards this goal, she stumbles into some information that sparks her curiosity towards her unknown family history. As she digs deeper, she discovers more than she could have ever imagined about her grandfather, his escapades and his questionable death.
This book is two genres in one - Historical and contemporary fiction. First, I loved the fact that the book allowed me to relate with each of the main characters directly as each chapter featured a different character. This allowed the story to be seen from several views and added more suspense to the story.
Secondly, the back story on how the second world war started was a great history lesson especially as it was told from the perspective of the French. Also, learning about the culture and people of Casablanca in the 1940s and in 2005 was a welcome addition. Since it was all new to me, I was really captivated. I might just visit Casablanca soon!
The character I empathized with the most was Helene. I felt her pain and anguish and wished things had turned out differently. The other characters though some were colorful, were either too flawed or not strong enough for my liking.
What I didn't like about this story was how it all ended without a clear conclusion. I also got tired of the characters repeatedly saying the same things over and over. It made it little bit boring at some point to read but because of the mystery behind the story, I forged on. I feel this story had a potential to be better than it turned out to be but it is what it is.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this story. The mystery around Guillaume's death was captivating and this held me bound until I was finished. Despite the unsatisfactory end, I will recommend it to lovers of historical fiction and mystery. Congratulations to the author on her debut.
You can also read my review on my blog at
https://rovingbookwormng.com/2020/05/...
July 5, 2020
A solid piece of writing and a somewhat interesting story, yet it failed to charm me.
I think the first problem is that not much(mystery wise) happens until about the 65% mark. I found very clever they way Malaval built Guillaume's character in his absence. Letters, other character's thoughts and stories, revealing not only Guillaume but also his life up until his disappearance. But no matter how clever, it is not very engaging for the reader who keeps wondering what is all about and then why all the delay in actually revealing more about the core story.
The last part of the book is a classic case of "building up my family's history" that sadly does not shed light on Guillaume's faith. And this is the second problem. The reader goes through so much, puts up with all that slow built up for in the end not to receive his/her reward. I personally am fed up with clear-cut ends and from that point of view the open ending of this novel was more than welcome. But as I've said, I don't think is going to work for the average reader because you do need some solid answers to help you forget how slow it was to get to 'solution' of the mystery.
All being said, I've enjoyed the snippets of WW2 on a different front than the every present European one. It was also nice to read all the details about Casablanca, and why not the old silent movies.
*Book from NetGalley with thanks to the publisher.
I think the first problem is that not much(mystery wise) happens until about the 65% mark. I found very clever they way Malaval built Guillaume's character in his absence. Letters, other character's thoughts and stories, revealing not only Guillaume but also his life up until his disappearance. But no matter how clever, it is not very engaging for the reader who keeps wondering what is all about and then why all the delay in actually revealing more about the core story.
The last part of the book is a classic case of "building up my family's history" that sadly does not shed light on Guillaume's faith. And this is the second problem. The reader goes through so much, puts up with all that slow built up for in the end not to receive his/her reward. I personally am fed up with clear-cut ends and from that point of view the open ending of this novel was more than welcome. But as I've said, I don't think is going to work for the average reader because you do need some solid answers to help you forget how slow it was to get to 'solution' of the mystery.
All being said, I've enjoyed the snippets of WW2 on a different front than the every present European one. It was also nice to read all the details about Casablanca, and why not the old silent movies.
*Book from NetGalley with thanks to the publisher.
June 18, 2020
Part historical fiction, part contemporary and part mystery I found myself completely absorbed in this book, set mainly in Casablanca in the years between the 1930’s and 40’s and the present day.
This is the story of Guillaume, a sailor who is in active service when war breaks out and his family and sweetheart are left behind in France. When an explosion aboard ship takes the lives of so many, Guillaume is presumed dead. But with no body found, rumours become rife concerning his true identity. Is he a deserter or a spy or simply a casualty of war? That is the question that many years later Loubna is desperate to discover, having come into possession of a suitcase full of love letters sent to the charismatic sailor. I loved how these letters offered us an insight into this colourful, larger than life character who it transpires was a real ladies man, certainly a sailor with a girl in every port! His exuberance and love of life shone through the pages and if nothing else I thought he was an intriguing character. In unravelling the mystery behind the man, maybe Loubna will find Guillaume is more than just the sum of his conquests.
The timeline switches back and forth between multiple narrators that range from Guillaume’s mother and father and sister to his childhood sweetheart, lover and best friend(I think I’ve remembered them all!!) I loved the fact just enough information was divulged by each person before switching to another narrator, thereby ensuring I was fully engaged with the storyline. Surprisingly we never hear first hand from Guillaume, instead learning of his life aboard ship via his best friend Felix but perhaps that is a deliberate ploy to encourage further mystery surrounding a man who seems to have taken on legendary status. If the author had treated us to his perspective I think that would have been a real eye opener.
Having never visited Morocco or Casablanca, I did feel the author managed to bring the setting alive, albeit mostly from a sailor’s perspective! In that sense, the novel is atmospheric enough for the reader to imagine themselves in the streets and the cinemas and the red light district. With plenty of film references added in, at the very least it made me want to watch Casablanca, if not to wish I could visit the place sometime soon.
It was refreshing to hear about the wartime experience from another country’s perspective . Whilst the ways in which war affects people are similar, I enjoyed hearing from Helene and Lucien their first hand experiences. It is Helene who deserves our sympathies since her story highlights the devastating effect of losing a son and how that splinters the family as a whole, having to learn to make a life around a gaping person shaped hole. I would agree with other reviews that perhaps we don’t get an in depth insight into some of the characters lives which normally would frustrate me but for reasons I can’t pinpoint I didn’t mind on this occasion. I think I was too swept up in Loubna’s quest to uncover her family’s history.
In my opinion The Sailor from Casablanca would be an ideal book as an introduction into historical fiction for readers who wouldn’t normally choose this genre. With the added bonus of romance and mystery, this is one of the easiest yet most intriguing novels I’ve read in a while. I found the mystery element of this book fascinating;it was like searching for the missing pieces of a complex jigsaw puzzle and like Loubna I was desperate to discover the true person beyond that of Guillaume the lady killer.
All the way through I was thinking yes this is definitely a five star read for me but I’m still undecided how I feel about the conclusion. Having not been able to turn the pages fast enough, it kind of fizzled out so I was left feeling disappointed that this was the last I’d hear from these characters ( the book does feel very short but maybe that’s my misconception ). I found the final pages puzzling and I needed to re read some of the paragraphs to make sense of the ending. All minor criticisms and no doubt I may regret giving this 4.5 stars rather than 5.
Overall I think this was a cracking good read, thoroughly enjoyable and my thanks go to Hodder and Stoughton for the invitation to read this title.
This is the story of Guillaume, a sailor who is in active service when war breaks out and his family and sweetheart are left behind in France. When an explosion aboard ship takes the lives of so many, Guillaume is presumed dead. But with no body found, rumours become rife concerning his true identity. Is he a deserter or a spy or simply a casualty of war? That is the question that many years later Loubna is desperate to discover, having come into possession of a suitcase full of love letters sent to the charismatic sailor. I loved how these letters offered us an insight into this colourful, larger than life character who it transpires was a real ladies man, certainly a sailor with a girl in every port! His exuberance and love of life shone through the pages and if nothing else I thought he was an intriguing character. In unravelling the mystery behind the man, maybe Loubna will find Guillaume is more than just the sum of his conquests.
The timeline switches back and forth between multiple narrators that range from Guillaume’s mother and father and sister to his childhood sweetheart, lover and best friend(I think I’ve remembered them all!!) I loved the fact just enough information was divulged by each person before switching to another narrator, thereby ensuring I was fully engaged with the storyline. Surprisingly we never hear first hand from Guillaume, instead learning of his life aboard ship via his best friend Felix but perhaps that is a deliberate ploy to encourage further mystery surrounding a man who seems to have taken on legendary status. If the author had treated us to his perspective I think that would have been a real eye opener.
Having never visited Morocco or Casablanca, I did feel the author managed to bring the setting alive, albeit mostly from a sailor’s perspective! In that sense, the novel is atmospheric enough for the reader to imagine themselves in the streets and the cinemas and the red light district. With plenty of film references added in, at the very least it made me want to watch Casablanca, if not to wish I could visit the place sometime soon.
It was refreshing to hear about the wartime experience from another country’s perspective . Whilst the ways in which war affects people are similar, I enjoyed hearing from Helene and Lucien their first hand experiences. It is Helene who deserves our sympathies since her story highlights the devastating effect of losing a son and how that splinters the family as a whole, having to learn to make a life around a gaping person shaped hole. I would agree with other reviews that perhaps we don’t get an in depth insight into some of the characters lives which normally would frustrate me but for reasons I can’t pinpoint I didn’t mind on this occasion. I think I was too swept up in Loubna’s quest to uncover her family’s history.
In my opinion The Sailor from Casablanca would be an ideal book as an introduction into historical fiction for readers who wouldn’t normally choose this genre. With the added bonus of romance and mystery, this is one of the easiest yet most intriguing novels I’ve read in a while. I found the mystery element of this book fascinating;it was like searching for the missing pieces of a complex jigsaw puzzle and like Loubna I was desperate to discover the true person beyond that of Guillaume the lady killer.
All the way through I was thinking yes this is definitely a five star read for me but I’m still undecided how I feel about the conclusion. Having not been able to turn the pages fast enough, it kind of fizzled out so I was left feeling disappointed that this was the last I’d hear from these characters ( the book does feel very short but maybe that’s my misconception ). I found the final pages puzzling and I needed to re read some of the paragraphs to make sense of the ending. All minor criticisms and no doubt I may regret giving this 4.5 stars rather than 5.
Overall I think this was a cracking good read, thoroughly enjoyable and my thanks go to Hodder and Stoughton for the invitation to read this title.
June 18, 2020
This is worth of try if you're looking into fresh/new sort of historical fiction, women's fiction plus mystery type of story. It only took me two days to finished this wonderful story with 240 pages, knowing that I'm such a slow reader because this is easy to get along. You also expect multiple narrations. Guillaume had no point of view, which I weirdly like? Since he remained mysterious all throughout the story.
For me I haven't seen or read any story like this, and what interesting is that it took sixty-five years later in 2005 wherein a young woman named Louban searches for answers to unraveled mystery; little did she know, she's also unlocking the story of an enigmatic sailor from Casablanca. The story set both in 1940 and 2005. Louban in 2005 is not the first person who trying to solve mystery behind this sailor from Casablanca. His own family, friends and lovers also did their best to find the answers bugging them.
"Life is about compromising, it's about the opportunities that you choose to take after a bit of negotiation — you need to learn the meaning of that word."
The first part got me, like why? how? These two questions still bugging me, thus not being aware I almost spend most of my time reading this. I couldn't wait! I want more, like come on give me the answers to my questions or even a clue. However, I thought the ending would give me all the answers I was looking for; unfortunately it didn't give me, so I'm not satisfied. Everything is totally unclear to me, to the point I wanted to have the closure to each characters and a revelation what just really happened back then. Although I know there will be some ways; to be honest, this is a great story if the story explained well at the end or maybe just maybe the author did it intentionally planning to have book 2? I don't know this is just a cup of my tea.
The story also explores relationships within marriage and one-night stands. Perhaps, war is also a thing in this story which I find it interesting, you gained knowledge about the war set in those specific places.
I'm very fond of Guillaume how Felix described his friend being a fan of film and a classy man. He tend to call his friend Guillaume the Great. I admired him for being wholesome, in each descriptions they gave to him made him an ideal man to me; still unsure about his identity but I found myself attracted to him even though he have a lot of women.
"You know, life isn't like a film, Loubna. Life what happens before the reel starts up, and after it's finished turning. It's everything leading up to the poetic moments and everything that comes after. You can't avoid it forever."
I gave three stars because those remaining pages still left me clueless I thought it would enlighten me, sadly it wasn't.
For me I haven't seen or read any story like this, and what interesting is that it took sixty-five years later in 2005 wherein a young woman named Louban searches for answers to unraveled mystery; little did she know, she's also unlocking the story of an enigmatic sailor from Casablanca. The story set both in 1940 and 2005. Louban in 2005 is not the first person who trying to solve mystery behind this sailor from Casablanca. His own family, friends and lovers also did their best to find the answers bugging them.
"Life is about compromising, it's about the opportunities that you choose to take after a bit of negotiation — you need to learn the meaning of that word."
The first part got me, like why? how? These two questions still bugging me, thus not being aware I almost spend most of my time reading this. I couldn't wait! I want more, like come on give me the answers to my questions or even a clue. However, I thought the ending would give me all the answers I was looking for; unfortunately it didn't give me, so I'm not satisfied. Everything is totally unclear to me, to the point I wanted to have the closure to each characters and a revelation what just really happened back then. Although I know there will be some ways; to be honest, this is a great story if the story explained well at the end or maybe just maybe the author did it intentionally planning to have book 2? I don't know this is just a cup of my tea.
The story also explores relationships within marriage and one-night stands. Perhaps, war is also a thing in this story which I find it interesting, you gained knowledge about the war set in those specific places.
I'm very fond of Guillaume how Felix described his friend being a fan of film and a classy man. He tend to call his friend Guillaume the Great. I admired him for being wholesome, in each descriptions they gave to him made him an ideal man to me; still unsure about his identity but I found myself attracted to him even though he have a lot of women.
"You know, life isn't like a film, Loubna. Life what happens before the reel starts up, and after it's finished turning. It's everything leading up to the poetic moments and everything that comes after. You can't avoid it forever."
I gave three stars because those remaining pages still left me clueless I thought it would enlighten me, sadly it wasn't.
June 11, 2020
The Sailor From Casablanca by Charline Malaval is a marvellous dual timeline novel – 1940 France and Casablanca and 2005 in Casablanca. The tale follows a sailor, full of life and vigour, and a young woman’s search for the truth about her grandfather after finding some wartime letters.
War is a terrible thing. It alters people beyond recognition – bodies return but minds are left behind. “The war [WWI] buried him alive” – not physically but mentally. The war to end all wars returned a generation of men who were shadows of themselves. “It wasn’t that we were brave in the trenches; we simply had no choice.”
Young men in the 1930’s failed to see another war looming as they signed up for the French navy. War is not glamorous. War changes boys into men, and men into heroes. In war there is always the choice to be made – to do your duty or to dessert. This dilemma is explored throughout the novel in an attempt to uncover the truth.
The novel explores relationships – within a marriage, and also delves into the seedier side of sex workers and one night stands.
War has a habit of focussing the mind. We have to decide who and what is most important to us.
There are multiple narrators within the novel in 1940 but just one in 2005. We see the thoughts about events and characters from various points of view.
The Sailor From Casablanca was a well-constructed novel which I enjoyed. I think it would make a marvellous movie.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
War is a terrible thing. It alters people beyond recognition – bodies return but minds are left behind. “The war [WWI] buried him alive” – not physically but mentally. The war to end all wars returned a generation of men who were shadows of themselves. “It wasn’t that we were brave in the trenches; we simply had no choice.”
Young men in the 1930’s failed to see another war looming as they signed up for the French navy. War is not glamorous. War changes boys into men, and men into heroes. In war there is always the choice to be made – to do your duty or to dessert. This dilemma is explored throughout the novel in an attempt to uncover the truth.
The novel explores relationships – within a marriage, and also delves into the seedier side of sex workers and one night stands.
War has a habit of focussing the mind. We have to decide who and what is most important to us.
There are multiple narrators within the novel in 1940 but just one in 2005. We see the thoughts about events and characters from various points of view.
The Sailor From Casablanca was a well-constructed novel which I enjoyed. I think it would make a marvellous movie.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
August 31, 2022
Que dire de ce roman si ce n'est... Je n'ai jamais autant annoté un roman 🤣
Alors commençons par le commencement : j'ai eu un coup de coeur intersidéral pour la plume de Charline Malaval. Elle écrit tellement bien, avec des phrases imagées si poétiques... Un vrai bonheur de tourner les pages de ce roman.
Et au-delà de cette plume superbe, j'ai ADORÉ cette histoire !
On navigue entre 1940 et 2005 à travers les yeux de plusieurs personnages, afin de reconstituer l'histoire familiale de Loubna qui essaie de découvrir d'où elle vient et, surtout, qui est Guillaume, son mystérieux grand-père disparu dans des conditions suspectes pendant la guerre.
L'histoire de Guillaume se construit petit à petit grâce aux récits combinés de ses parents, sa soeur, son ami Félix en 1940. Et grâce aux découvertes de Loubna en 2005.
Je me suis vraiment attachée aux personnages, et j'ai trouvé juste passionnant d'avoir un récit pendant la période 39-45 qui se déroule au Maroc.
Une histoire de famille, une histoire de guerre, une histoire d'amour. Un roman qui se dévore !
Citation : "Nos deux êtres bancals se sont appuyés l'un contre l'autre pour se donner ce qu'il leur manquait de repères et d'amour."
Alors commençons par le commencement : j'ai eu un coup de coeur intersidéral pour la plume de Charline Malaval. Elle écrit tellement bien, avec des phrases imagées si poétiques... Un vrai bonheur de tourner les pages de ce roman.
Et au-delà de cette plume superbe, j'ai ADORÉ cette histoire !
On navigue entre 1940 et 2005 à travers les yeux de plusieurs personnages, afin de reconstituer l'histoire familiale de Loubna qui essaie de découvrir d'où elle vient et, surtout, qui est Guillaume, son mystérieux grand-père disparu dans des conditions suspectes pendant la guerre.
L'histoire de Guillaume se construit petit à petit grâce aux récits combinés de ses parents, sa soeur, son ami Félix en 1940. Et grâce aux découvertes de Loubna en 2005.
Je me suis vraiment attachée aux personnages, et j'ai trouvé juste passionnant d'avoir un récit pendant la période 39-45 qui se déroule au Maroc.
Une histoire de famille, une histoire de guerre, une histoire d'amour. Un roman qui se dévore !
Citation : "Nos deux êtres bancals se sont appuyés l'un contre l'autre pour se donner ce qu'il leur manquait de repères et d'amour."
July 12, 2020
This story is a cute novel that covers the unraveling of a family secret over multiple generations in Casablanca and France. The descriptions of Casablanca and the surrounding area had me itching to visit (and rewatch Casablanca!).
The story is told in mostly chronological order following two timelines, one in 1940 and one in 2005. The problem is that there are too many narrators to keep the story going. It also tries to be too many things. Is it a cozy historical mystery? Is it a story of romance during wartime? Is it an examination of the psychological effects on people who live through war? It tries to do everything and in doing so, only manages to sort-of achieve any of them.
After reading the description of the book, I was expecting an exciting war-time mystery, a whodunnit of "who is Guillaume? Is he alive?". What I got instead was a quick read that slowly reveals the story piece by piece, until the final section that left me confused about the lack of communication among the family members and sad for his mother.
The story is told in mostly chronological order following two timelines, one in 1940 and one in 2005. The problem is that there are too many narrators to keep the story going. It also tries to be too many things. Is it a cozy historical mystery? Is it a story of romance during wartime? Is it an examination of the psychological effects on people who live through war? It tries to do everything and in doing so, only manages to sort-of achieve any of them.
After reading the description of the book, I was expecting an exciting war-time mystery, a whodunnit of "who is Guillaume? Is he alive?". What I got instead was a quick read that slowly reveals the story piece by piece, until the final section that left me confused about the lack of communication among the family members and sad for his mother.
September 22, 2020
Set in World War II in Morocco, the tale begins with the lives, and loves of Guillame and Felix - two sailors in the Navy who become firm friends. When their ship explodes, Felix is given the task of breaking the news of Guillames death to his family.
Sixty five years later in 2005, Loubna dreams of opening her own cinema and after a flippant remark from a potential investor - she starts digging into her family's history to find out who exactly her father, and grandfather (Guillame) were. Aided by her friend, Anis he manages to "borrow" letters from the navy archives that hints that Guillame was either a traitor or a deserter, and even the possibility that he didn't die in the explosion.
Flipping between 1940 explaining the effects of Guillames death on his family members and friends and 2005 with Loubna searching her history, this tale is of love and desperation,
The book was a little slow starting and you do need to persevere with it, although the ending was still a little disappointing. A good read though
Sixty five years later in 2005, Loubna dreams of opening her own cinema and after a flippant remark from a potential investor - she starts digging into her family's history to find out who exactly her father, and grandfather (Guillame) were. Aided by her friend, Anis he manages to "borrow" letters from the navy archives that hints that Guillame was either a traitor or a deserter, and even the possibility that he didn't die in the explosion.
Flipping between 1940 explaining the effects of Guillames death on his family members and friends and 2005 with Loubna searching her history, this tale is of love and desperation,
The book was a little slow starting and you do need to persevere with it, although the ending was still a little disappointing. A good read though
June 8, 2020
Guillaume is missing presumed dead after an explosion on his ship in Casablanca in 1940. But there are some mysterious circumstances around his contacts in the weeks before his death.
Sixty odd years later, Loubna is given a folder of the correspondence he sent and received while serving in the Navy and hopes it might provide answers she has longed for all her life.
The good historical background leading up to WWII and the descriptions of 1940s Casablanca were rather wasted on an ordinary plot and characters. Its difficult to know if the original or the translation is the problem, but it’s my fault, this was not for me. I actually fell asleep 99% in and had no idea what the ending meant when I came to.
But with thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the read.
Sixty odd years later, Loubna is given a folder of the correspondence he sent and received while serving in the Navy and hopes it might provide answers she has longed for all her life.
The good historical background leading up to WWII and the descriptions of 1940s Casablanca were rather wasted on an ordinary plot and characters. Its difficult to know if the original or the translation is the problem, but it’s my fault, this was not for me. I actually fell asleep 99% in and had no idea what the ending meant when I came to.
But with thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the read.
September 25, 2020
18 year old Guillame was out to conquer the world when he set forth on his travels and landed in Casablance. Sadly cut off in his prime by an explosion that was the end and the year was 1940.
Fast forward to 2005 and the discovery of a whole lot of love letters leads to the surprising conclusion that Guillame could very well be alive and with one of his many girl friends.
Each chapter is told by someone who is trying to unearth the mystery of Guillame but none by himself so that he remains fairly enigmatic throughout.
A mix of genres which added to the interest - lots of actual history, then family stories and romance as well.
Fast forward to 2005 and the discovery of a whole lot of love letters leads to the surprising conclusion that Guillame could very well be alive and with one of his many girl friends.
Each chapter is told by someone who is trying to unearth the mystery of Guillame but none by himself so that he remains fairly enigmatic throughout.
A mix of genres which added to the interest - lots of actual history, then family stories and romance as well.
May 30, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read, the story starts during the Second World War when a young sailor returns to France on leave with the additional task of visiting his best friend's parents to give them the sad news that their son, Guillaume, is dead. We then leap ahead to 2005 and meet Loubna who is Guillaume's granddaughter. After that we are involved in the story of Guillaume and his descendants, there are many secrets to be uncovered and many surprises in store.
I really enjoyed this novel, it is beautifully written and is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore.
I really enjoyed this novel, it is beautifully written and is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore.
May 30, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read, the story starts during the Second World War when a young sailor returns to France on leave with the additional task of visiting his best friend's parents to give them the sad news that their son, Guillaume, is dead. We then leap ahead to 2005 and meet Loubna who is Guillaume's granddaughter. After that we are involved in the story of Guillaume and his descendants, there are many secrets to be uncovered and many surprises in store.
I really enjoyed this novel, it is beautifully written and is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore.
I really enjoyed this novel, it is beautifully written and is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore.
June 12, 2020
A gentle story of lives and loves lost . The story is told form wartime to 2004 with various voices recounting the story of Guillaume, a mariner , who goes missing after an explosion in his ship. Is he lost or has he absconded ? His granddaughter wants to open a cinema in Casablanca and is given a series of letters. Will these give her the background to this enigmatic grandfather?
There are perhaps too many people recounting the tale for me. A good perspective on the historical aspects of the war but I could not relate to any of the characters hence the 3 star rating
There are perhaps too many people recounting the tale for me. A good perspective on the historical aspects of the war but I could not relate to any of the characters hence the 3 star rating
January 22, 2021
A pleasant holiday reading that brings you to the present day Morocco in one part of the scenes and to France during Second World War. And what connects these two places.
While reading the book you find out the mysterious life of the young sailor Guillaume. Each chapter reveals a story from different perspective, each in their own circumstances and carrying their own memories of Guillaume.
From the other hand there is a young women located in modern day Casablanca, where we follow her finding out her family history that is even a bigger mystery..
While reading the book you find out the mysterious life of the young sailor Guillaume. Each chapter reveals a story from different perspective, each in their own circumstances and carrying their own memories of Guillaume.
From the other hand there is a young women located in modern day Casablanca, where we follow her finding out her family history that is even a bigger mystery..
May 11, 2020
A mystery as to the story of the baby born in the Casablanca military hospital in 1940. A narrative told from the perspectives of Guillaume's parents, sister, friends, lovers, son and granddaughter. A sailor in the French Navy, Guillaume has an affinity for Casablanca and the cinema.. What happened to him?
August 30, 2020
Casablanca in world war 2 is a heady setting, full of exotic intrique. Did he die a hero or a traitor, or was it more complex? A story told through many eyes, and different times, so it doesn't answer all the questions, and is not the smoothest of reads. If you don't know anything about 1930s films, some of the references don't mean much. Was the author sacrificing story to try and be literary?
September 8, 2020
I volunteered to read this book, through netgalley in exchange, for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. The way the author describes Casablanca, Morroco it makes me want to visit that country. Guillaume is my absolute favorite character and I adore Felix's character. It talks about how families feel when they lose a loved one far to young to the war. I enjoyed how it goes from the past then to modern day Morroco. This book is in stores now for $9.99 (GBP).
June 11, 2020
Even if it's well written and the plot is interesting I couldn't connect to the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
June 18, 2020
What a brilliant book which deals withe heart acne of those left behind when someone dies bye there is no body so no closure.
It is also a mystery which is not resolved untill the very last chapter and keeps you guessing throughout the book
It is also a mystery which is not resolved untill the very last chapter and keeps you guessing throughout the book
August 21, 2020
I've just finished The Sailor from Casablanca. I wasn't sure at the beginning but I stuck with it and I'm so pleased I did. Telling the story from many different angles is a stroke of genius. I was intrigued to find out what happened to The Sailor from Casablanca!
January 8, 2022
An interesting story set in 1940 and 2005...... did Guillaume die in the explosion or not? Loubna wants to find out and sets about solving the mystery of her grandfather. I loved the descriptions of Casablanca and the book had some great characters but I was disappointed with the ending
May 18, 2020
Too many different narrators,too complicated a story. Struggled to the end,not my cup of tea. Didn't warm to any of the characters.
June 3, 2020
Wonderfully romantic, mysterious and spellbinding. There weren’t enough hours in the day to lose myself in captivating Casablanca.
August 9, 2022
M’a presque donné envie de vivre à Casa.
Un livre sur Oujda maintenant..? Pls…?
Un livre sur Oujda maintenant..? Pls…?
March 18, 2021
The sailor from Casablanca by Charline Malaval
A book set in Morocco during world war 2. Following the life of Guillame, an 18 year old sailor and his friend Felix.
An interesting story with intrigue and family secrets about whether Guillame died in an explosion in 1940 or not.
This story goes from then to now . Therefore it does jump about in the timeline which was a bit annoying.
However Reasonable story but a bit slow .
A book set in Morocco during world war 2. Following the life of Guillame, an 18 year old sailor and his friend Felix.
An interesting story with intrigue and family secrets about whether Guillame died in an explosion in 1940 or not.
This story goes from then to now . Therefore it does jump about in the timeline which was a bit annoying.
However Reasonable story but a bit slow .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2019
Un homme ou peut-être un gamin, qui rêve de découvrir le monde car sa vie trop étriquée ne l'intéresse plus dans son petit village du nord de la France. Ce qu'il veut Guillaume, c'est voyager, voir du pays, voir des pays exotiques, sentir les embruns, avoir la peau burinée, devenir l'homme qu'il n'aurait jamais pu être s'il était resté chez lui.
Guillaume, il est comme ça, et quand il veut une chose, il fera tout pour l'obtenir, car Guillaume, il voit grand, trop grand ? Mais cela va le conduire vers une destinée qu'il n'aurait sans doute jamais eu s'il avait choisi le confort de chez lui.
Mais avec Guillaume, et c'est ce qui fait tout l'intérêt de ce roman, il y a les secrets qui stagnent autour de lui comme cette brume le matin qui apparait sur l'eau des ports. Guillaume joue, au sens propre comme au sens figuré, et nous allons découvrir à travers plusieurs personnages quelle a été sa vie, la vrai, pas celle qu'il s'imaginait.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce roman, Charline Malaval, nous place dans la tête de plusieurs personnages sauf celle de celui qui nous intéresse. Elle tire les fils habillement d'une pelote qui nous semblent au début inextricable. Nous aurons donc la vision du meilleur ami, du père, de la mère, de la sœur, de sa descendante, de la maîtresse, qui chacun à son niveau détient une part de l'histoire qu'il garde bien au chaud, chacun son secret pour ne pas être mal vu par les autres.
Il serait dommage de vous en dire plus sur ces personnages qui vont vous paraitre parfois attachant, puis détestable, puis finalement tout simplement des hommes et des femmes car ces personnages, c'est moi, c'est toi, ce sont nous, ce sont nos ancêtres, ce sont ces gens qui n'ont jamais été des héros, oubliés dans les pages des livres d'Histoire mais qui ont eu leur histoire et qui peut être proche de la notre. Charline Malaval raconte tellement bien les histoires, adaptant sa plume à chaque personnage pour le faire vivre encore une fois, chacun sa propre personnalité, chacun sa façon de s'exprimer, un gros travail sur les expressions, les styles a été fait, rendant ce roman encore plus fort.
Oui ce roman est passionnant, donnant toujours envie d'en savoir plus sur Guillaume mais il y a un petit MAIS ou deux même ; le premier, cette référence systématique au film de Casablanca, que je trouve tellement vu et revu à chaque fois qu'un livre ou un film parle de cette ville ; le second, j'ai trouvé que la fin était sans doute un poil trop rapide à mon goût et j'ai dû relire les quelques deniers chapitres pour comprendre vraiment ce qui était arrivé. J'étais peut être trop dans mes pensées, trop absorbée dans ce voyage au Maroc, circulant dans les rue des années 40 comme celles de nos jours, à observer ces façades oubliées, ces palmiers , ces plages, j'ai voyagé …
Guillaume, il est comme ça, et quand il veut une chose, il fera tout pour l'obtenir, car Guillaume, il voit grand, trop grand ? Mais cela va le conduire vers une destinée qu'il n'aurait sans doute jamais eu s'il avait choisi le confort de chez lui.
Mais avec Guillaume, et c'est ce qui fait tout l'intérêt de ce roman, il y a les secrets qui stagnent autour de lui comme cette brume le matin qui apparait sur l'eau des ports. Guillaume joue, au sens propre comme au sens figuré, et nous allons découvrir à travers plusieurs personnages quelle a été sa vie, la vrai, pas celle qu'il s'imaginait.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce roman, Charline Malaval, nous place dans la tête de plusieurs personnages sauf celle de celui qui nous intéresse. Elle tire les fils habillement d'une pelote qui nous semblent au début inextricable. Nous aurons donc la vision du meilleur ami, du père, de la mère, de la sœur, de sa descendante, de la maîtresse, qui chacun à son niveau détient une part de l'histoire qu'il garde bien au chaud, chacun son secret pour ne pas être mal vu par les autres.
Il serait dommage de vous en dire plus sur ces personnages qui vont vous paraitre parfois attachant, puis détestable, puis finalement tout simplement des hommes et des femmes car ces personnages, c'est moi, c'est toi, ce sont nous, ce sont nos ancêtres, ce sont ces gens qui n'ont jamais été des héros, oubliés dans les pages des livres d'Histoire mais qui ont eu leur histoire et qui peut être proche de la notre. Charline Malaval raconte tellement bien les histoires, adaptant sa plume à chaque personnage pour le faire vivre encore une fois, chacun sa propre personnalité, chacun sa façon de s'exprimer, un gros travail sur les expressions, les styles a été fait, rendant ce roman encore plus fort.
Oui ce roman est passionnant, donnant toujours envie d'en savoir plus sur Guillaume mais il y a un petit MAIS ou deux même ; le premier, cette référence systématique au film de Casablanca, que je trouve tellement vu et revu à chaque fois qu'un livre ou un film parle de cette ville ; le second, j'ai trouvé que la fin était sans doute un poil trop rapide à mon goût et j'ai dû relire les quelques deniers chapitres pour comprendre vraiment ce qui était arrivé. J'étais peut être trop dans mes pensées, trop absorbée dans ce voyage au Maroc, circulant dans les rue des années 40 comme celles de nos jours, à observer ces façades oubliées, ces palmiers , ces plages, j'ai voyagé …
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