"deep character study"
Fourteen yeas ago Rachida left her home on Djerba Island to
accept work as a Parisian maid to Countess Poulais du Roc.
When she first came to France, Rachida had big dreams, but
being nothing more than an indentured servant seemingly for
life, her aspirations are gone as she meets her employer's
often unreasonable demands. Today she returns from chores
in heavy rain to suddenly suffer a freak accident. Though
the lack of obvious repair with
the recent storms caused the incident, no one was held
negligent because the victim was a Tunisian expatriate. A little older than her thirty something
sister, Fatima accepts the same job and quickly leaves her
village of Batouine for Paris. Her adjustment is
difficult, but she makes friends much easier than her
sibling ever did. As a Tunisian in Paris, Fatima soon
finds companions in the nearby café and love with a
reticent clerk who believes he is unworthy of her. Fans of deep character studies who have the good fortune of
reading this novel will come away with the thought that the
Dryansky writing team has provided a insightful tale of an
immigrant's life in Paris. The cast is a delight
especially the magical Fatima as every key player seems so
real that the audience will think they are sipping café au
lait in the Café Jean Valjean with descendants of Victor
Hugo. Though not for action seekers, FATIMA'S GOOD FORTUNE
is a deep story. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 25, 2003
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