La Blanche – Mai-Do Hamisultane (2013, trans. Suzi Ceulan Hughes 2019) 80 pages
La Blanche is set largely in Casablanca, and so forms another stop on my much-neglected Around the World in 80 Books reading challenge, hosted by Hard Book Habit who sadly don’t seem to be blogging any more but it’s a great challenge so do join in if you can!
La Blanche is narrated by a young woman whose grandfather was murdered in their home in 1992. Along with her mother she flees Morocco to France, but following a painful break-up of a relationship finds herself heading back to the land of her birth.
“It rained heavily in the night. Torrential summer rain. I didn’t sleep a wink. Perhaps partly too, because I’m anxious about going back to Morocco. It’s as though I’d been bracketing off my childhood for years. Once I’d arrived in France I’d never thought about my childhood in Casablanca again. I’d left it all over there, apart from a little scrap of white paper, folded in four, that I always keep with me.”
The narrative moves back and forth across time, building a picture of her privileged childhood in Casablanca, the violence that shattered it, and the psychological fall-out from a disintegrating romantic relationship as an adult. This is handled expertly and is never confusing, blending together with ease to create a fully realised portrait of this young woman’s life.
The language is taut and every word placed carefully – hence this novella only comes in at 80 pages – but the story is in no way underwritten. Hamisultane has a startling and inventive way of writing, such as here, when the narrator awakes to realise her lover has left:
“It’s morning. The bed is empty. Light is flowing across the room. I close the shutters because I’m afraid it might flow straight though my body.”
It’s so impressive that La Blanche was a debut novel. The time shifts, language and characterisation are handled so deftly making for a satisfying and evocative read.
“My grandfather wakes me.
It is dawn.
He’s taking me out with him.
‘As quick as you can,’ he says to me. ‘While we can still see the morning dew beading the blooms on the rose bushes.’”
madame bibi lophile recommends 
I’ve never heard of this one Madame B but it sounds superb. Love the quotes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really impressive how much she conveys in just 80 pages. Glad you liked the quotes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
New to me, too, but it sounds great. ‘Taut and every word placed carefully’ is right up my alley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so carefully written but it still flows – its very impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep meaning to start a round the world challenge, I haven’t heard of this before but it would make a good place to start!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A perfect place to start – only 80 pages and you’re on your way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds excellent. Another one for the wish list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! I hope you enjoy it Caroline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another great find. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great debut!
LikeLike
This sounds amazing. I wonder if writers who write from, or choose to set their work in, someplace like Casablanca, which has become associated with something like the iconic film (Bogart and Bergman), spend a good deal of time trying to subvert every trope therein. That is a great challenge, indeed. It’s not something I’m formally taking part it, but I am always trying to broaden my reading horizons to experience new places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My impression was that she didn’t concern herself with trying to subvert tropes, but wrote from her own experience. But then, that does subvert the tropes because its so very different to the film!
I’m really enjoying that reading challenge – I’m just very slow at doing it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re doing great on your Around the World trip this month! How many are you up to now?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks FF! I’m only on 51, nowhere near your heady heights 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person