The Storyteller of Casablanca

By: Fiona Valpy

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

In this evocative tale from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Gift, a strange new city offers a young girl hope. Can it also offer a lost soul a second chance?

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?

©2021 by Fiona Valpy. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Critic reviews

“A novel that will whisk you to another time and place, The Storyteller of Casablanca is a tender tale of hope, resilience, and new beginnings.”—Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Postcards From a Stranger

“Fiona Valpy has an exquisite talent for creating characters so rounded and delightful that they almost feel like family, and this makes what happens to them feel very personal.”—Louise Douglas, bestselling author of The House by the Sea

Beautiful and moving story

I loved this story and could not stop listening till reached the end. Beautifully read an written.

Unforgettable

I am shaken and sad as I finish listening to this story…but oh so glad I chose to read it.

Deeply moving

This story covers not only the things happening around us but the deep pain that is so hard to contain in our hearts. I highly recommend this book and this author.

An enthralling story.

I loved this story and the two perspectives it was told from. I would give it four and a half stars if I could mainly because I felt that the ending was too hurried and the loose ends were tied up in a rush.
Some of the story was predictable but there was a surprising twist at the end that made up fior it.

Amazing. Inspiring

This book helps one realize the importance of community, friendship, Communication, Honesty and most of all love and being true to oneself. Beautifully written. Loved it.

Amazing

Starts off slow but it unfolds into such a magical and moving story about the way so many people and countries played a part in aiding WWII refugees. I learned new things within this beautiful story

I must read

The storyteller of Casablanca was one of the best lessons I have had. The reader was excellent, and as story progressed, she was able to make the characters come to life. You know sometimes you get a book and you don’t want it to end, well, this was one of them you certainly felt like you knew all the people in the book, well written, well read, and most enjoyable.

The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy

I love her books. They always keep you engaged in the story narrative as though present oneself. So enjoy. Thank-you.

Outstanding

Outstanding story. I was hooked from the beginning... listening to every detail...waiting and hoping. Proof, the Universe is hard at work.

Beautiful story how to love, lose, and let go.

The narrator was amazing. I very much enjoyed her storytelling. The characters were well developed and I was sad for the story to end.