«Najat El Hachmi’s new novel is attractive, original, contemporary and strong.» Sam Abrams, El Mundo «The text, in its freeing exploration of a socially turbid sexuality, is incredibly valiant and its style shines for its poweful adroitness. She is a fine writer.” Michael Eaude, The Guardian El Hachmi is not just bold in her themes, but intelligently and patiently teases out their contradictions. What makes it special is its extraordinary physical detail, both in the sex (not at all titillating) and cleaning (stimulating) and in the description of clothes, smells and factory work. To some degree the novel is a morality tale: promiscuous sex does not bring happiness. ![]() She is reminiscent of Mercè Rodoreda in her detailing of everyday objects to reveal the workings of her main character's mind and her use of a direct, colloquial voice. The novel is ably translated by Peter Bush from Catalan, one languaje with a rich literary tradition on which El Hachmi draws. ![]() “A brave Catalan writer fashions a heroine who really breaks the rules.
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