Description

Saďd Meziane lives as an insurance broker in Paris and has a difficult relationship with his mother Fatima, who came to France from Algeria. When she suffers a stroke, she is paralyzed and unable to speak. But her Algerian homeland is alive in her head: her parents, whom she loses, her childhood as an orphan, the crossing to France and, above all, the mysterious girl in the yellow dress, who keeps flashing like a sun she thought was lost, and her memories until they are complete pulls through at the end. In changing narrative perspectives between mother and son, Akli Tadjer draws the picture of their relationship and puts Fatima's eventful life story together like a mosaic. His language is rough and direct, humorous and tender at the same time. "A novel that resembles life, with forgotten, hidden corners." Le Soir

Reviews and press:

fixpoetry.com:

A sad and oppressive novel that is as close to life as literature can get. And although it's all about impermanence and dying, it's still a hymn to life with all its adversities. (...) more

Bremen Literature House:

In changing narrative perspectives, the life stories and the relationship between mother and son are put together like a mosaic. The Franco-Algerian author Akli Tadjer tells the story in simple, powerful language that is nonetheless poetic. Terrifying and funny at the same time, the book cannot be put down so quickly. (...) more