Published by Andersen Press July 2023

ISBN 978 1 83913 8

Set in the Grand Mosque of Paris this story is one of Muslim resistance work saving thousands of Jewish lives during the Nazi occupation of the city during the Second World War. It is the story of a brave, clever heroine called Safiyyah who makes the journey from being a child whose Dad can solve any problem and help every person, to being a young person who sees her father’s fear and is ultimately pushed to find the incredible courage needed to take his place on a daring mission.

It is also the story of family, whose love for each other is without bounds; of a grandmother full of kindness and wisdom, with a deep attachment to oranges and the memories they provoke of her own younger life in Spain.

It is a story of unimaginable courage borne of a spiritual obligation to protect others, believing that saving one life is saving all humanity.

The story is beautifully written, rich in love and sensuous description; the feasts of millefeuille, oranges and mint tea we luxuriate in at the beginning sustain us through dark and hungry times.

Every character has its own importance not just to the story but to the messages portrayed. A favourite of mine is aging Monsieur Cassin, a Jewish botanist. His connection with nature provides a telling insight when he reminds Safiyyah that weeds that many people pull up or ignore can perform important functions, such as repairing ecosystems. And yet, it is humans who decide “what has the right to grow and take up space and what should be tugged out and cast aside, lifeless.”

This is an important story, one dealing with a moment in history and a nobility of humanity at that time which needs sharing. It is also one which is mesmerising from start to finish and benefits from such a thoughtful and skilled writer taking responsibility for it.

A must-read!