Hamou, a young man who leaves his mountain village to train as a police officer for the Sûreté in 1950s Casablanca, wanting to do good in the world and to support his family, soon finds himself caught between cultures and questioning what he thought he believed in. It’s a well developed story of a young man coming to terms with conflicted loyalties, and finding the courage and determination to do the right thing.
Blending together a historical narrative, well formed characters and the contrasting landscapes of the city and mountain villages, Jane Johnson skilfully weaves in tensions between the French regime and the local people, and between cultural legends, traditions and beliefs and more current, less spiritual attitudes with Hamou’s own story. His individual struggle with a sense of duty to his job and the desire to protect the people he loves, searching within himself for the courage to do what is right and to follow his heart echoes the wider social discontent and injustices. Fabulously evocative descriptions take you to the heart of the markets, the rooftops, the city and the villages. The sense of smell and sounds and visual details so clear we felt we were right there. The best sort of historical fiction which leave you feeling you have read a great story and that you also learned a lot.
Overall score: 8.2
Range: 8 – 9
