The second part of Leïla Slimani’s trilogy, an ambitious, multi-generational trio of books set in the author’s native Morocco, was published yesterday.

The first book The Country of Others, marked a departure from Slimani’s usual style of novel and I think Watch Us Dance continues in much the same vein, except that I probably enjoyed it a little less.

First the good parts: The writing is excellent as you’d expect from Slimani and the backdrop of Morocco and its history as a newly established, budding post-colonial nation is fascinating.

Now for the not so good (for me anyway): There are no chapter breaks at all, and there’s very little dialogue, so the book can feel quite dense at times. The third person narrative switches constantly from one character to another, preventing this reader from becoming invested in any particular character. It’s as though the author is holding a camera, panning from one person to the next, resting on them before moving swiftly on to the next character. It can feel a little rushed at times.

Amine and Mathilde from the first book continue to anchor the story, but we spend less time with them, moving to the younger generation, their children Aïcha and Selim, and their cousins, lovers and friends. You feel the shifting sands of time as the free love 60s/70s hippie culture reaches Morocco and collides radically with its conservative, Islamic psyche. There’s an optimism and a sense of hope for the future though, even in dark times. The book hints at what is to come in the third book.

I enjoyed it, but I do think it’s probably necessary to have read the first one to enjoy this one, and even then, it’s not *quite* as good. I’ll definitely still read the third though! 3.5/5⭐️

*Many thanks to @faberbooks for the arc via @netgalley. Watch us Dance was published on 1 June. As always, this is an honest review.*

Slimani's second instalment of her long and winding history brings the next generation into the spotlight alongside Mathilde and the other characters who took centre stage first time round. As then, the tone and detail is very different to the taut, spare novels (e.g. Lullaby) that established her name, but as a slow-burn historical look at Morocco's social and political turmoils through the changing lens of this family, it is its own tour de force.

Leïla Slimani's 'Watch Us Dance' gracefully transports readers to Morocco in 1968. With a beautifully descriptive narrative, the author paints a vivid picture of Mathilde's world, where the scent of blooming roses mingles with the anticipation of societal shifts. Mathilde, a woman embracing the winds of change, stands at her window, basking in the radiant spring sunshine. Slimani masterfully captures the essence of Mathilde's optimistic outlook, her dreams of a pool to escape the scorching summer heat, and the possibilities that seem to accompany this new era.

Slimani expertly weaves a complex tapestry of intertwined destinies, exploring the impacts of individual choices on the family, country, and the future. The evolution of Mathilde's grown-up children serves as a poignant reminder of how life can twist and turn in unforeseen ways, leaving the characters and readers alike to grapple with the unpredictability of existence.

Slimani's prose dances off the pages, captivating readers with its lyrical beauty and evocative imagery. Through her meticulous attention to detail, she transports us to the vibrant landscapes of Morocco, immersing us in its colors, scents, and sounds. The author's talent for seamlessly blending the personal and the political allows the novel to transcend mere storytelling, offering profound insights into the social and historical context of the time.

'Watch Us Dance' is a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience, filled with moments of joy, heartache, and profound introspection. Slimani's nuanced character development draws readers into the lives of her protagonists, making their struggles and triumphs feel intensely real. As the narrative unfolds, one can't help but become emotionally invested in the characters' journeys. This book brought back my memories of feeling like a stranger in my country.

In this masterfully crafted novel, Leïla Slimani has created a captivating and immersive reading experience. 'Watch Us Dance' not only entertains but also offers a poignant reflection on the choices we make and the repercussions they may have. It is a testament to the author's skill and storytelling prowess.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for giving me access to this upcoming release.

I will start by saying that I was unaware that this is the second book in a trilogy, and therefore my opinion is probably not the best to go off. I really struggled to get into this book and didn't connect with any of the characters and in general just found it a bit boring and hard to follow. Unfortunately, it was not for me.

'Watch Us Dance' is a family saga set in Morocco during the 1960s and early 1970s. Amine Belhaj is a wealthy farmer, having earned his comfortable existence through years of hard work. He has a French wife, Mathilde, and two young adult children - Aicha, an aspiring doctor, and Selim, a disaffected youth. The novel covers the fates of these characters and numerous others who enter their lives. It is set against a period of oppression by the king and government, and an influx of European and north American hippies.

Slimani has a nice writing style and the story is generally easy to read. It started well and I was drawn in to the characters' lives and troubles, most of which were of an ordinary, domestic kind. The characters are mostly likeable, and the backdrop of 1960s Morocco was interesting.

However the readability is undermined by the frequent jumps forward (or sometimes back) in time, or from one character to another, without so much as a paragraph break. One moment you are reading Armine's point of view in 1962, the next Aicha's in 1964 (for example). It's confusing. In these jumps, you lose important details - several times I got confused and thought I'd missed a section or lost attention when reading, but eventually worked out a critical event simply hadn't been covered.

The other issue I have with the novel is the lack of a really compelling plot. It's set against a time of turmoil and danger - I kept waiting for one of the characters to fall foul of the government, and for some sort of drama to occur. But nothing really exciting ever happened. It felt like a totally missed opportunity - setting a novel in a country full of dangers but only allowing them to be lightly brushed past by the characters. I didn't really understand the point of the book. I know books don't necessarily have to have a point, but I'm a reader who prefers that they do. I don't know what Slimani is trying to say. Here are some people, they lived in Morocco, some fairly ordinary life events happened to them, there was some political turmoil around them but nothing really came of it. There is a reference towards the end suggesting one of the characters did eventually end up on the wrong side of the government - but no detail. Once again potentially the most interesting and exciting event isn't even covered.

If you don't mind stories that meander and don't have a strong plotline, you may enjoy this, particularly if you have an interest in Morocco. Slimani does have a nice writing style. But if you want a plot, then I wouldn't recommend it. There are other really good Moroccan novelists that would be much better to read if you're looking for Moroccan fiction - Laila Lalami is a favourite of mine. I don't see the point spending time reading a book which has good writing but not a good plot, when I can have both.

Morocco, 1968.

As she stands at her garden window, Mathilde reflects on all that she has achieved. Don't her family have the right to enjoy life, after dedicating their best years to the war and then to their farm?

Anything feels possible, and Mathilde is determined to celebrate, blissfully unaware of what the future has in store for her family and her country . . .

This book is in part of a history of Morocco and it's troubled times. The writer paints a picture of life during the changes their during the sixties. The book is well written but the constant changes in focus become a little wearing at times.

This is the second part of Leila Slimani's multigenerational family trilogy, informed by her personal family history. It gives the reader who may know little about Morocco history an eye opening and educational glimpse into national culture, history and traditions, and the competing pressures, repression, and turbulence experienced by the country and its people in a changing world. Previously we observed the meeting and marriage in France of Amine and Mathilde, the move to Morocco, the tough years of working the farm, and the birth of their biracial children, Aicha and Selim, 2 very different characters. The focus now is more on the next generation, with the more introverted strong willed Aicha becoming a medical student in France, aware she is different, and now becoming more emotionally open.

Amidst a background of ambition, idealism and rebellion, sexism, family expectations and traditonalism are still widespread, with many men happier in the old ways, struggling to compromise, we get a picture of toxic masculinity, males uncomfortable with women in roles that challenge, like holding the position of a gynaecologist. Selim meanwhile is more interested in insinuating himself amidst the European hippies that arrive. Amine and Mathilde have changing and ambiguous feelings towards Aicha which include pride in her achievements, dancing when she gives birth. Racism must be endured in a nation where violence and corruption become entangled with moves towards the thrills and perils of freedom.

Slimani paints a powerful, complex and intoxicating picture of transition, of the different generations and the differing perspectives and conflicts, the evolving sense of identities, the specific inner battles of each person within the family and on the larger stage of a country. I am sure many readers will be as enthralled with the latest addition to the trilogy as I am, I am left really looking forward to the final part. There were occasions when I would have welcomed a little more depth, but overall this is a fascinating and engaging read. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I loved the first volume of this trilogy and the characters burst back to life for me very quickly. I believe this trilogy is loosely based on Slimani's own mother and grandmother's stories and episodes of family history. The fact that there is a connection between reality and fiction gives this book an unspoken emotional intensity that many multi-generational stories lack.

From the postwar setting of the previous book, we now enter a changing Morocco both in terms of being firmly bedded into post-colonialism and the standoff between traditional attitudes and the sexual revolution. This is seen through the eyes of the different generations as the point of view changes between the characters. It is coloured by a far wider backdrop than paterfamilias Amine taking on the family farm with his French wife Mathilde and the gruelling years that it took to make it profitable.

Whilst the story shoots out from the homestead, it is largely the next generation's stories with new ambitions set against brutal politics. It seemed to me that all the main protagonists were conflicted, all chasing inner demons of their own alongside family expectation. It is the women who harness the stories peppering promiscuity, equality and education into the mix as they all seek their identity - personal and political.

I found the changing perspectives jarred in parts despite enabling the narrative and would have liked to dwell inside some of the separate stories for longer which might have consolidated their motivations but I found that the range of paths taken/not taken completely fascinating.

There is little evidence of what may be yet to come although a chink of light seems to rattle the cage of disillusionment as the book closes.

This auto-fictional book brings us to Morocco at the end of the 1960. Interwoven with one families fate is the date of the whole country. The daughter, educated in France, tries to be a doctor in a country where only men are. The son tries to find himself in a hippie commune.
Not only is the book well-written and the personal stories interesting; it also gives you a glimpse into a countries history. Highly recommended!

This book covers beliefs, values, customs, practices, and institutions of culture that gave me a great insight. The author has provided readers with a deeper understanding of the ways in which people from different cultural backgrounds live, think, and interact with each other. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of human culture. This is a book that can promote understanding, empathy, and a sense of interconnectedness among people from different backgrounds.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.