The Country of Others
As seen:
By Leïla Slimani, and and, Sam Taylor
avg rating
1 review
‘A panoramic, ambitious tale.’ The Times
‘Exceptional.’ Salman Rushdie
‘Powerful.’ Christine Mangan
‘Captivating.’ Elle
1944. After the Liberation, Mathilde leaves France to join her husband in Morocco.
But life here is unrecognisable to this brave and passionate young woman. Her life is now that of a farmer’s wife – with all the sacrifices and vexations that brings. Suffocated by the heat, by her loneliness on the farm and by the mistrust she inspires as a foreigner, Mathilde grows increasingly restless.
As Morocco’s struggle for independence intensifies, Mathilde and her husband find themselves caught in the crossfire.
From the internationally bestselling author, The Country of Others is perfect for fans of Elena Ferrante, Tracy Chevalier, and Maggie O’Farrell.
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Comments from Hythe Book Group members:-
The first in a trilogy roughly based on author's own family history. Some of us had been somewhat distressed having read the author’s previous novel Lullaby so were perhaps less than enthusiastic at the prospect of tackling another of her books. Book set in 1940s and 1950s post war period in Morocco.
Loved it. Will definitely read the next one in the series.
Absolutely loved it as does Macron apparently. Author just been nominated as Chair of the judges for the International Booker . Inspired by the life and experiences of her grandparents despite the publishers not wanting her to write something so autobiographical. Close and fond memories of her childhood and her loving relationship with them.
Great storytelling.
Have visited the country in the past and was an accurate portrayal particularly of the role of women.
Negative portrayal of most of the men in the book. Violent, patriarchal society. However Amine tries hard at times - Christmas tree, Father Christmas outfit etc.
It deals well with colonialism, nationalism, cultural conflict, civil unrest, race, gender, religious issues and the impact of war.
Didn't know much if anything about French Empire and the story of Morocco. Transition in rural areas from almost a medieval way of life amongst the Berber communities. Women as chattels - violence and oppression. Meeting of two worlds encapsulated in Mathilde and Amine's marriage.
Conflict between traditional Arab/Muslim world and modern, emancipated European/increasingly Americanised lifestyle
Echoes of the Arab Spring - liberation, transition form a colonial nation, the role of women and perhaps the exchange from one form of oppression to another.
Uncomfortable to read.
Parallels with "A room made of leaves" - two different worlds meeting but couldn't quite see the point of the book although I liked the character of Mathilde. Wouldn't recommend the book and not as good as her previous ones. .
Symbolism of the limonge tree was clever.
A high scoring book with scores ranging from a postal vote of 6 to several 9s and even a 10 from Dot!10 of us scored the book giving it a total of 81.5 with an average score of 8.1 so one of our top scoring books this year second only to Elif Shafak’s "The Island of Missing Trees" 8.5.
