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Le pays des autres

A Novel
Pages
320
Published
2021
Language
English

Synopsis

In the aftermath of World War II, a young Alsatian woman named Mathilde finds love with Amine Belhaj, a Moroccan veteran of the French army. They build a life together in Meknès, Morocco, navigating a society rigidly defined by colonial segregation. Their journey is marked by the daily struggles against racism and humiliation as they fight to establish their place in the world.

Characters

MathildeProtagonist
Amine BelhajProtagonist
All characters in Le pays des autres

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Le pays des autres part of a series?

    This novel is the first installment in a planned trilogy that explores the history of Morocco through the experiences of the same family across generations. While it introduces the family's origins, the story within this book has a complete narrative arc.

  • What inspired Leïla Slimani to write this book?

    Leïla Slimani drew heavily on her own family history, particularly the experiences of her Alsatian grandmother who married a Moroccan man after World War II and moved to Morocco. The narrative weaves together personal anecdotes and historical research to depict the complexities of colonial life.

  • How does this book compare to Leïla Slimani's other works?

    Unlike her previous novels, which often focus on contemporary social issues and psychological thrillers, Le pays des autres marks a significant shift towards historical fiction and a more expansive, multi-generational narrative. It retains her characteristic sharp prose and exploration of power dynamics, but within a broader historical and familial context.

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