Zoe moves with her husband Tom to Cassablanca, where he has a five year posting. While they are there, she hopes they can have a fresh start to their marriage. She finds it difficult at first to fit in as an expat in a foreign country, while also dealing with a strained relationship and a baby daughter. Then one day, she discovers a wooden box under a floorboard in the nursery, and in it a journal from a young girl named Josie. Zoe begins reading the diary and becomes invested in Josie's life. In the dual timeline are the journal entries from the 1940's when Josie and her family had escaped to Casablanca and were awaiting visas to get to America during WWII. Josie's father became involved in the resistance as did many of the people Josie knew. The journal leads Zoe to seek the dreamseller in order to find some closure in her own life.
I loved this book. I enjoyed the dual timeline, with the one timeline being told in diary form. It was written so well, I felt as if I were really there watching it all unfold. I love that it included Josephine Baker in the story and her part with the resistance to add to the realism. I especially loved the twist at the end. I was really not expecting that! If you enjoy historical fiction, then you will definitely want to read this one.

I took a punt on "The Storyteller of Casablanca" by Fiona Valpy as it isn't my usual type of read. However I am pleasantly surprised. The story is split into Josie's of 1941/1942 told via the medium of a diary which Zoe finds in the house in 2010. The more recent part is told via Zoe and how she adjusts to life in Casablanca as an ex-pat. I can't comment too much as it may give parts of the plot away but what is most beautiful is the subplot of the crafting of the patchwork quilts - such strong symbolism on many levels.

What a fabulous book!!! The plot is amazing, with so much emotion both happy & sad. I simply couldn’t put it down & couldn’t stop the tears at the end!!! Such amazing details that I was transported to both the Casablanca of 1941 & Casablanca of 2010!,! Wonderful!

Like most Americans, what I know about Casablanca comes from a certain classic movie. In “The Storyteller of Casablanca,” the author, Ms. Valpy, made Casablanca (and Morocco) a bit more “real” with her descriptions of the streets, people, countryside, and weather. This book is told in a classic dual timeline - one in the early 1940s, the other in 2010. The 1940s story I found the most engaging. We follow Josie, a pre-teen, through her journal. Her family is temporarily in Casablanca awaiting those ever longed for letters of transit (this SO reminded me of the opening narration of the movie Casablanca). Josie’s journal documents how they coped with both the waiting and war efforts. There’s also an appearance of Miss Josephine Baker - in my opinion one of the most fascinating people of this time period - that was presented rather effectively. There’s also an introduction (and understanding) of Moroccan culture (and religion) along with the importance of storytelling. One of the things I liked about Josie was her spunk and I enjoyed reading her parts - good, bad, heartbreaking, and everything in between. The 2010 story follows Zoe, an expat, whose husband (Tom) has taken a job in Casablanca. Zoe is depressed (and stressed). Through some of Tom’s co-workers wives, Zoe decides to take up quilting, which eventually leads her to volunteering at a migrant camp. Zoe takes up reading to the children (tying together both timelines with the importance of storytelling) and suggests quilting to the mothers (again, another form of storytelling). While I believe Zoe’s part was good for complete closure, for me it didn’t pack as much of an emotional punch as Josie’s part did. There was a twist at the end that I foresaw, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the overall book. This was an amazingly quick read for me - I think I finished in it one day - and it was very engaging. Do read the Author’s Note (for more information about her research) and the Acknowledgements (for how she got the idea for this book). A really solid 4.5 stars and I'd read another book by this author.

A dual timeline story . Josie is a refugee during wartime escaping the nazi tyranny and Zoe in current times trying to find a new way of life both based in Casablanca. Zoe finds the notebook left by Josie along with some prized possessions under the floorboards of the house she and her husband Tom are living in. The book is atmospheric , depicting Casablanca and you need to carefully follow the two storylines that are skilfully woven through the book. How can events from 70 years previous help to resolve the issues being faced in 2010 by Zoe.
A steady story.

My favourite kind of book, weaving fiction into history! Beautifully written, this touching story transported me to Casablanca with its sights, sounds, scents and people.
A perfectly balanced transition between Zoe in modern times as she becomes absorbed into Josie’s life in the 1940’s through the discovery of her diary.

I am an avid reader of Fiona's books, and await her new releases with anticipation.

Being a francophile Scot, I can usually directly relate to the landscapes, sights and smells that her writing evokes and so I was unsure about a new setting.

I needn't have worried. Within moments of diving in, I was transported to the streets of Casablanca, in both the 1940's and modern day settings.

I followed the diaries as closely as the narrator, and skipped through to see what happened. The ending did not disappoint, and once again I didn't want the story to end.

Thank you Fiona, I await your next tale.

Definite book cover judging going on here - it is just so beautiful and evocative or what I think most about Casablanca; the warmth, the smells and the sights. I have always wanted to visit Casablanca and the way Fiona describes it, especially in the chapters set in the 1940’s, it seems more magical than I could ever have thought. It doesn’t specify in the biography of the book as to whether Fiona has ever visited Casablanca herself, but her details are so exquisite, I find it hard to believe she hasn’t.

It can be confusing when a book flits from different time periods snd characters, but Fiona keeps it simple by sticking to just two main ones. This makes it an interesting read, but you’re not forever flicking back to wrap your head round whose story you’re reading at that point.

It seems very timely, particularly the chapters that focus on refugees and the war torn areas in Asia and Africa; it’s upsetting to be able to see modern parallels in reality.

It is fast paced but gentle, explosive yet calming, heartbreaking but optimistic. Every word has been thought through perfectly that it’s impossible to imagine any other author writing this story. The two stories are interconnected so beautifully, and it pulls at your heartstrings at every chapter.

This may well have been my first Fiona Valpy novel, but it sure won’t be my last.

Morocco, 1941: With France having fallen to Nazi occupation, twelve year old Josie has fled with her family to Casablanca, where they wait 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 in her daughters bedroom, Zoe enters the inner world of young Josie.

This stories dual timeline is set seventy years apart. Set in Casablanca, Zoe's story is set in 2010 and Josie's in 1941. When Zoe finds twelve year old Josie's diary, she becomes preoccupied by her story. The two timelines are interwoven seamlessly as we learn of Zoe's marriage problems and Josie's family. This is a descriptively written story that I was quickly caught up in. The pace is steady with some wonderful characters.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #FionaValpy for my ARC of #TheStorytellerOfCasablanca in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved the magic of Casablanca as well as the country of Morocco. Everything from the architecture, the views of the ocean along with the city snd it’s history. This book wasn’t just a fabulous story, but also a tour of the wonderful country.

Moving to Casablanca to make a fresh start, Zoe and her husband want to work, to fix their marriage. For Zoe, she’s finding it difficult to involve herself to life as an ex-pat in a foreign country, as it’s so different to what’s she’s used to.
She finds a diary under a floorboard a diary of a Jewish girl, from 1941. The diary is the story of Jose, as well as her parents and sister Annette, her friends Nina and Felix. This diary written by a 12 year old is their story of coming from Paris, the time spent in Casablanca as they waited to resettle in America.

Wonderful characters, both Zoe and Jose are sensitive people, caring deeply for those they love.

The way both stories linked together over the years was lovely.

The ending was something I didn’t see coming, making this book a great read.

Highly Recommend It.

This is both a beautifully heartwarming and gut-wrenching story all at the same time. Valpy uses exquisite narrative to describe both setting and place. Each character has to cope with their own devastating loses and they each have to learn how to live despite those loses. Josie loves the escapism that Casablanca provides from the horrors of WWII. Zoe struggles to accept that Casablanca can provide a way forward after a life-altering event. Valpy intertwines the storylines through Josie's hidden diary that Zoe uncovers underneath the floorboards of her home. Readers may find the portions of the book told via the viewpoint of 12 year old Josie a bit unstimulating but one must remember that the character was a child. Portions of Zoe's viewpoint also can be a bit hard to get through but that can be attributed to Valpy's skillful technique in waiting until the last possible moment to unveil Zoe's secret. This book isn't a page turner. It IS one that is to be savored and enjoyed.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

This is an incredibly captivating five-star dual timeline historical fiction novel set in the exotic city of Casablanca in 1941 and then seventy years later. Inspired by refugees fleeing Europe during the war years, Valpy explores the challenges they faced and highlights the migrant crisis in North Africa.

One timeline focuses on the Duval family as they arrive in Casablanca after fleeing Paris when the Germans invaded. Removed from the war back home, the family settles into life in this exciting city as they await onward passage to America. Valpy makes this vibrant city come alive with such intensity that readers have no difficulty understanding daily life in this intoxicating port city.

The second timeline focuses on the Harris family who’ve accepted a five-year posting and recently arrived in Casablanca seeking a fresh start for their struggling marriage. They move into the home previously occupied by the Duvals. Valpy clearly paints a beautiful picture with words enabling readers to instantly immerse themselves in the culture and time frame. The denouement is spectacular as Valpy merges the timelines and takes readers by surprise with a plot twist they won't see coming!

At first, I groaned when I realized I was reading an all too familiar ‘discovering a diary in present time and reading about past events,’ scenario, but thankfully Valpy was able to keep me interested with a spectacular plot, enchanting setting, and interesting characters. Unique to this novel is the incorporating of Operation Torch, the expat experience, and the North African Migrant crisis.

My only issue was that I felt the 13-year-old Josie sounded far wiser than her years and didn’t seem to have a unique voice.

Publishes September 21, 2021

I was generously gifted this advance copy by Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Wow, what a fabulous story. For the past two days I feel as though I have lived in Casablanca, living the life of the characters, so vivid and detailed are the descriptions. I have smiled, I have cried, so emotive is the storyline. I love this authors writing , the attention to detail, the descriptive writing and last but not least the skill in drawing the reader into the heart of the story. Thanks to TBC and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book.

I absolutely loved this book. I have been given other books by this author which are currently on my TBR pile but they are now coming to the top.

This story covers Zoe and Josie who have lived in the same house in Casablanca but 70 years apart. Their lives are linked by a diary which explains the problems faced by Josie during the second world war as a refugee with a Jewish mother. It also brings Zoe into the modern day world of refugees.

Fiona Valpy has an emersive way of story telling, I found her characters fully developed and caring about their lives

A must read

I received this e-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I loved the way Morocco was described! I love travel so I was happy with the descriptions of a place I’ve never been to. I also loved the two storylines, and was completely taken off guard when they crossed! What?! Even though I enjoyed it, the ending felt rushed. And I feel that the story needed more time.

The Diary

I loved the enchantment of Casablanca. and the country of Morocco. The Ocean views, the architecture, the ancient city and the famous history behind it all. Not only was is a great story, it was a wonderful tour of the country as well.

Zoe and her husband move to Casablanca to have a fresh start to work on repairing their marriage. Zoe finds it hard to fit in as an ex-pat in a foreign country it is all so different. Then she finds the diary of a young Jewish girl from 1941 under a floorboard. It is the story of Jose, her parents, her sister Annette and her friends Nina and Felix. Written in a diary by a 12 year old it is the story of their flight from Paris and their time in Casablanca while waiting to immigrate to America.

The characters are wonderful and both Zoe and Jose are brave and both are sensitive people who care much for those they love. I loved both of the stories and how they interacted with each other beyond the years.
It is surprising how much books and stories can affect a person and help them when they have struggles. As it was in 1941 so it was in 2011 helping others helped them. Friends and projects and a feeling of belonging to something worthwhile and important was very healing.

The book ends with a twist that you will not see coming. It is a great read, you will love it. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing U.K. and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of the book for my honest review.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Women’s Fiction
Historical Fiction

Review:

This is another story written over a dual time line. The main timeline tells the story of Zoe an expat wife who has recently moved to Casablanca because of her husband’s job. The second timeline tells the story of Josie a Jewish girl who fled to Casablanca during the Second World War with her parents to avoid the Nazi occupation.

Overall:

The book is beautifully written, set in an exotic location, the scenery is described careful and with great detail. This made it very captivating and vivid. It felt like you were actually there. The characters were complex but interesting. Their actions were explained well, this made them realistic. The plot was written with the right amount of suspense, mystery and intrigue this made the story captivating until the end.

This captivating book switches between the present life of an expat living in Morocco and the life of a refugee family living in Morocco during World War Two. I loved how the author moved between the past and present, exploring the different time periods within the same setting. The characters are beautifully developed, allowing for a strong connection and empathy between the reader and the characters. I highly recommend this book, brilliant just like all of Fiona Valpy's books!

I absolutely love Fiona Valpy's books, they evoke nostalgia, compassion and empathy. She takes you into the heart and soul of all the characters so well you feel that you are there with them rather than just reading about them on the page.
In this novel we are among the hot and dusty streets of Casablanca both in 1941 and present day
Present day, Zoe is a disillusioned wife who has gone with her husband to Casablanca for a couple of years as he has been based there with his job. However she spends her days lonely, until she discovers a box under the floorboards. In the box is a journal written by Josie in 1941.
The book alternates between Zoe and Josie's story.
Well worth reading. A definite 5 stars, only sorry I cannot give more
Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake House publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

The Storyteller of Casablanca is a historical fiction novel with a dual timeline. In 2010 Zoe has moved to Casablanca with her husband because of his job. She finds a diary hidden by 12-year-old Josie in 1941 during the WWII era. Josie's family has fled France and is waiting for paperwork and passage to America. This is the first WWII novel I have read where the setting is in Africa and I found very enjoyable. Thanks to the author Fiona Valpy, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.