Le pays des autres

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.

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.

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.