The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy is a story of visitors to a strange city and finding a second chance. In 2010, Zoe Harris moved to Casablanca with her husband as his company offered him a relocation. She struggles with the move, her marriage and their baby daughter. One day she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s room. In 1941, twelve-year-old Josie Duval arrives in Casablanca with her family as France falls to the Nazi occupation. There they await safe passage to America. Life there is as intense as the sun with every sight, smell and sound is different and overwhelming. A world away from the troubles back home and Jose loves it. As Zoe reads Josie’s diary, she finds herself opening up to her new city. Seeing the city through the eyes of Josie and finding hope and comfort in the words of a young girl who saw joy and life despite the terror around her. Can Josie’s story help her mend her broken heart and find life in her new home? How does Josie’s story end?
The Storyteller of Casablanca was a story I devoured. From the opening chapter to the final line, the story pulls you in and won’t let go. Fiona Valpy has written another amazing story. I loved Josie’s story and eagerly anticipated finding out what happened to her and finding out why her diary was left behind. Zoe was a character who was hard to figure out, and even sympathize with at certain points, but when the reason behind her broken heart was revealed, her behavior made sense and your heart breaks for her. I admit that I shed a few tears when she discusses the events around her heartbreak. I enjoyed the history woven into the story as I was only familiar with Casablanca from the famous 1942 movie with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. I wasn’t aware that many Jewish refugees fled there before searching for a safer place to call home. I also wasn’t aware of the importance of the area during World War II. I highly, highly recommend The Storyteller of Casablanca. It is a story that will stay with me for a very long time.

The Storyteller of Casablanca is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

Casablanca was captured beautifully in Fiona's latest novel. The atmosphere and setting were, as always, conjured in a realistic and imaginative way. Immediately I was drawn in to the sights and smells that were evoked in the descriptions.

The storylines were weaved incredibly well, though on occasion I did struggle with some of the transitions. But the past story was by far my favourite with so many layers.

The ending blew me away, and I recommend this read for any historical fiction fan. Once again Fiona Valpy shows she is a master storyteller.

What an intriguing book this was. It did take me a while to get into but the last quarter of the book had my rapt attention. Once it got there. the story was full of intrigue and interest, connections and revelations; I was hooked.

Set in Casablanca the story is told from the dual perspectives of Josie, an 11-year-old girl in the 1940s, and Zoe who has moved to Casablanca for her husband's work in the present day, After finding Josie's diary in the house that Zoe is renting the two stories are told. Both are dealing with uncertain times and trauma. To begin with, I found the story simplistic and slow, Josie's diary entries are written from a child's perspective, which was fine, but they seemed a little long-winded at times and I wanted the story to get going.

I loved the mix of fact and fiction in the book, both situations and characters, it bought the era during the war to life and I found myself looking up things to get more information. It was fascinating. The ending of the story was very clever and I couldn't put it down. The way the author combined the two stories and rounded them off was very clever.

This is an interesting and intriguing story, which I would highly recommend. This book is definitely worth reading, just make sure you keep going.

When Zoe and her family are posted to Casablanca through work she is hoping that this will be a fresh start. A chance discovery under the floorboards opens up an insight into the life of Josie, a Jewish girl, in the 1940's. Learning about her life and Casablanca during that period is insightful. Beautifully written with a twist in the tale.

Getting to hear about this time in history from a young girl who was not in the middle or involved in anyway, for me anyway, is rare. This isn't a story about the war itself, it's simply a girl and her family who had to leave their homes. Josie while very much aware of what is happening around her, is still an innocent girl filled with optimism and hope. And her story is a perfect balance of both those sides.

Much like other stories involving duel character timelines, I was far more interested in one more than the other. While one story was instantly captivating the second was a slow build that did win me over by the end. I had my moments where I couldn't help but think it maybe it would have been better with just one story, but as it went on I realized that it's the power of stories that drove the second, I didn't have to "get it" I just had to see how a person can grow through reading and learning about someone else.

I received a free electronic ARC of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Fiona Valpy, and Lake Union Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend The Storyteller of Casablanca to friends and family. Fiona Valpy is an author I will follow.

We see the life and times of Casablanca in the fall of 1941. These times, these folks, come alive for us on the pages of this book. We are a part of the large groupings of refugees from France, Italy, and Northern Africa who find their way to Morocco, looking for a chance to relocate to the safety of the U.S. or Britain. These are people who have already lost everything except their souls to the Second World War, their homes, family members, safety, and security all taken away without exception by the winds of combat. And we see the strength required to map a new life from scratch, the roads to take to heal from those ravages of war.

Alternately we follow Zoe and Tom, parents of Grace, as they try to find a way back to one another as they settle into Casablanca in 2010. Tom was transferred to Morocco with his work. It was a complete change of pace that each thought would help them save their marriage. Zoe chooses to stay home and take care of Grace and Tom works too hard and drinks too much. Both are buried in pain and grief and have lost the ability to see one another clearly. Zoe is suffering a serious case of OCDC, washing her hands a hundred times a day, literally germ-phobic. Every day they have less to say, less to share, until hope of reconciliation is almost gone. And then Zoe finds a loose board under the throw rug next to Graces' bed. And the treasures hidden there with the journal of a young refugee bring focus to her world again. From these treasures, she finds some of those refugees from 1941 who lived in what is now her home. But will that new perspective be enough to reset her world?

I was privileged to read an advanced review copy of The Storyteller of Casablanca. In the acknowledgments, the author refers to the gentleman who contacted her who "wished he had a granddaughter who could tell the story of life in Casablanca at the outset of World War II." It is so clear that the author travelled that journey through the eyes of her characters. The reader can see what Josie sees as a young girl who escaped France to Casablanca, and the tumult she experiences. Thank you Ms. Valpy for a book that holds your attention and allows one to visit the world of Casablanca in the early 40's.

*Thank you so much to the publishers for sending me this arc in exchange for my honest review*

The Storyteller of Casablanca
by Fiona Valpy
Pub Date: 9/21/21

Morocco, 1941. With France having fallen to Nazi occupation, twelve-year-old Josie has fled with her family to Casablanca, where they await safe passage to America. Life here is as intense as the sun, every sight, smell and sound overwhelming to the senses in a city filled with extraordinary characters. It’s a world away from the trouble back home—and Josie loves it.

Seventy years later, another new arrival in the intoxicating port city, Zoe, is struggling—with her marriage, her baby daughter and her new life as an expat in an unfamiliar place. But when she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s bedroom, Zoe enters the inner world of young Josie, who once looked out on the same view of the Atlantic Ocean, but who knew a very different Casablanca.

It’s not long before Zoe begins to see her adopted city through Josie’s eyes. But can a new perspective help her turn tragedy into hope, and find the comfort she needs to heal her broken heart?

The descriptive lyrical prose by Valpy is truly what makes this novel a work of art. You are transported to Casablanca and can almost smell your surroundings. The characters and the sweepings tales of friendship and hope will keep you turning for more!

THE STORYTELLER OF CASABLANCA by Fiona Valpy is the best form of escape into story. In two entwined storylines, Valpy tells the two stories set in Casablanca, the first a young girl in 1941 Casablanca waiting to leave for the promise of America and a young mother in 2010 seeking escape in Casablanca from the tragedy she and her husband left behind in England. Beautifully written with two powerful, engaging characters, this story is the perfect experience of a great story in escape to return home with treasure. Valpy sets us in Casablanca in the center of families and community, making a vivid, unforgettable story told by a master storyteller about the stories we tell ourselves and live. By the end of the story, I was completely invested in both storylines, cheering the heroines on as they make their way through tumult and beauty, new friends and possibilities. I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

To me this was a multi demential read, first about Josie and her journey and seventy years later Zoe. Leaving the only country you have known to find a home in a new country is very emotional, the unknown is so scary. This was a very well written book where I felt all Zoe’s emotions. .This is a must read and I’m sure I will enjoy reading this a second time.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, and I especially liked the ending, because we were kept in the dark about why Zoe was struggling so much with her husband. In retrospect, I should have guessed what was going on with her, especially because I've read other books with a similar premise. But the truth is that I didn't figure it out and when it was revealed, a bunch of things fell into place and I liked that. The dual timeline was nothing unusual, but I loved how the author made the connection between the two people, Josie and Zoe. There were times when the story got bogged down, but the ending really lifted the entire book up for me and I could definitely see myself recommending this. I really enjoy historical fiction and I find myself drawn to WWII books, especially when the focus is about the people, which this is. But this was new to me because I have read very few situated in Africa (one or two), but definitely none in Casablanca. And I loved the connection with Josephine Baker! I also found all of the resistance stuff really interesting and I liked how Josie was able to take part in it with her school project. I also loved all the stuff about quilts, although I disagree with the author about how quilts were used in the underground railroad, although it certainly makes a nice story. Two of my students and I read several papers about this topic and while I know there is some disagreement about this, most believe it's more fable than truth. Still, I did like how the author tied it in with the women refugees and what they were going through.

If you like historical fiction, WWII stories, or realistic fiction and you're looking for something a little different, you should definitely check this out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Story Teller of Casablanca by Fiona Valley. It's the story of Zoe in 2010 who finds a journal written by Josie in 1942 who is trying to get to America during the war. The characters were very real and I cared about all of them except the Nazi of course. I didn't know much about North Africa and WW2. Plus I'm a big fan of historical fiction. I'm glad that Josie and Zoe both had closure. The story was interesting, kept me reading, and I was wondering if we would ever find out what happened to Zoe. I would recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley for letting me review.

The storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy
Going to Casablanca with her husband’[s work Zoe finds it hard to fit in. The weather is so hot and she struggles to fit in with the city. Luckily she finds an old diary written by Josie Duval during the Second World War. Josie and her family are waiting to get permission to go to the USA after living in Paris. At this point she manages to help her father who is doing undercover work for the American government. It is a very dangerous time to survive in Europe as Josie discovers as her mother is Jewish and her father gets into trouble with the authorities.
The diary helps Zoe get to grips with the city as she follows in the footsteps of Josie. Zoe even manages to get involved with refugees from Africa who is stuck in Casablanca. This is a moving part of the story.
There are many surprises in store for both the readers and Zoe. The baby she talks about is in fact the reason she and her husband went to Casablanca to start a new chapter in their lives. The answer to the baby’s life is a shock to both the readers and even Zoe herself.
She decides to look for Josie and find out what happened to her and her family. There is another shock in store for Zoe as her local home helper can answer many of her questions. This is a very well researched book and beautifully told. It is both a shocking and moving story and is one of the best novels I have read this year

Fiona Valpy is an excellent storyteller. In this story, she shares how an uncomfortable woman in Zoe is trying to adjust to life in Casablanca as a wife and mother to an infant. She discovers a journal in the floorboards of their rented house that belonged to a young girl in the 1940's during World War 2 named Josie. She becomes engrossed in Josie's story as, she too, was adjusting to life after fleeing France from the Germans.

The reader is pulled into the two stories and how they navigate their own difficulties. It was interesting to get a glimpse into how refugees lived during the war and experience their journey of escaping the Nazis. Valpy has a knack for capturing sights, sounds, and emotions to pull you deep into the lives of her characters. She also is wonderful at describing the struggles that families experienced during the war and how they persevered.

I highly recommend this novel and any of the other Fiona Valpy novels you can get your hands on. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own,

A gentle but compelling tale of a troubled expat, Zoe, who finds herself living in Casablanca due to her husband’s job. She discovers a diary hidden beneath the floorboards of their home and so the story of Josie, the young daughter of a lapsing catholic father and a Jewish mother, unfolds telling of life in Morocco as the horrors of WW begin to emerge. She’s a bright, intelligent young teenager who recognises her beloved father’s efforts to help the resistance. Zoe’s marriage is troubled and Josie’s strength of character gives her a sense of purpose. Slow moving but creatively told and I was genuinely moved at times. The conclusion was a little contrived but this story was definitely worth the read!

I’m already a fan of Fiona Valpy’s books but I loved this story. Set in Casablanca during WWII, it tells the story of twelve year old Josie, a Jewish refugee waiting with her family to be granted papers for a new life in the United States. Josie’s vibrant personality comes alive to both the reader and to ex-pat Zoe, who finds Josie’s diary and treasure box seventy years later. The diary brings comfort to Zoe, whose marriage is crumbling following a family tragedy and leads her to embrace a new and better life in Casablanca.

Fiona Valpy’s writing is beautiful and the story transported me to the vivid and evocative world of war time Casablanca.

Such an outstanding novel! I loved the Dressmaker's Gift so much, that I knew I had to read this new book by Fiona Valpy, and it did not disappoint! A beautiful, engaging, and well written story makes you feel like you're a real part of the novel. Such detail and description went into writing this, you won't regret this read!

I absolutely loved this one. I've not read anything by this author before, but was looking for a book set in Morocco. This one absolutely delivered! I am a big fan of historical fiction, and have read a number of WWII books. However, I had not read any of them that had been set in Africa, so it was super interesting to learn about how folks had escaped from Europe only to be stuck living in poor conditions in Africa. I also really appreciated the current day setting to see how things had changed. I will be recommending this one to all of my friends who like historical fiction and am looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another wonderful story from Fiona Valpy. A beautiful tapestry woven together of two women, a generation apart, two different worlds within the same city, years apart. A story of love, loss, redemption, and recovery that leaves the reader with a sense of hope. TheStorytellerofCasablanca #NetGalley

Set in modern day Casablanca we meet Zoe, who with her husband Tom and baby daughter Grace try to settle into their new life after Tom gets a five year posting to this exotic port. While trying to settle into her new home Zoe comes across a little wooden box hidden beneath the floorboards. Inside the box is a diary and some bits and pieces. The diary is from 1942 and belongs to Josie, a young girl who, with her family have fled to Morocco from Nazi occupied France hoping to secure passage to America. What follows is the story of both, young Josie’s experiences of her life there and Zoe’s struggles as she tries to adjust to her new surroundings.
This is a wonderful book, I felt like I was walking through the streets of both modern day Casablanca and wartime Casablanca. This for me is a 4⭐️ Book and I loved it. Many thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this book. #TheStoryTellerofCasablanca #Historicalfiction #Casablanca