The Storyteller of Casablanca

A truly wonderful read. The fear and fight of refugees during war time has the reader hoping for a positive outcome but also fearing pain and heartache as the pages are turned.I loved Zoe's story threading through as the journal ends and the story concludes to heal the sole.

I loved the setting for this story – well two settings: Casablanca in 1941/1942 and in 2010.I wasn’t convinced about the 1941 voice at first, The diary entries seemed far too sophisticated for the young girl. However, as she grew up and grew wiser – she had to because life threw a lot at her – it became more authentic.There were a few coincidences that were a little difficult to believe but no worse in any case than Molière or Shakespeare. In fact, more convincing.Nevertheless both threads of the story are really engaging and I loved both characters.We are kept guessing.

Found this a really great and riveting story. Loved how the two peoples lives interwove. Also some good themes about loss, privilege and by a small margin life can have different outcomes

Absolutely caught up in this story ,beautifully written,and very moving,but also inspiring,would definitely recommend this book,and it's message of hope over adversity. Felt as if I was in Casablanca,it was so well described,it really brought it all to life.

Two stories entwined together and bringing healing where needed. A beautiful story, so sad but full of strength and hope.

A woman's story written by a woman often is more nuanced than male stories.This book covers a time span from world events in the great war up to present day with clever switching between the lives of tw women and their families in the two time zones with personal pressures as well as existential pressures. Touching and sympathetic, a good read.

A similar then and now format but seeing the war years through the eyes of a young teenager puts a very different perspective on it. We aim to protect children from the worst of humanity, but they see and feel everything. And a delightful ending.

It's a good story set over two different times.But I don't like it that the 2010 part is written in the present tense and I find that irritating.The child writing the rest of the story is learning English, and is I think, 12 or 13 years old. I know it's set in the much earlier time of 1941, but her language is way too adult and this also spoils it for me.I will finish it as I want to know what happens, but I'd have enjoyed it more if it had been written differently.

This is a book I truly loved reading. The story is two fold. Zoe in 2010, who moves to Casablanca with her husband and baby daughter, Grace because of her husband's job. She can feel her marriage flatlining and her life is crumbling. Then she finds a box hidden under a floor board of the old house they have rented, which contains the journal of a young girl, Josie, whose family rented the same house during World War II and lived there whilst awaiting their visas to American to start a new life. This leads to the other. Her chapters are headed up Josie's Journal and the date which begins, Wednesday, 1st January, 1941. Then the author cleverly alternates between the two protaganists until the story is fully told.I was rivetted to this novel for a few nights as I read it cover to cover. The writing is excellent and it completely encapsulates both an early teen age girl, and a young mother in a new land with little help from anyone close to her. The story is beautifully interwoven until the ending which will, no doubt, satisfy the reader. I haven't stopped thinking about Zoe and Josie since I finally closed the book the other night.

A journey through grief, happiness, love, friendships and facing your truth. A magnificent story, of two lives set more than half a century apart and yet so interwoven... each healing the other.

To help those along Who think they have problems. a heartwarming Story with so many wonderful characters. Totally recommend It!

I liked how the book kept you in suspense. I liked that the story of Zoe & Josie were interwoven. That their lives, heartache and stories were different, but the same.

Such a gentle and beautiful story. Pacing was well and simple. The story was well received. Loved hearing my namesake.