The novel is a multigenerational saga that explores the intersections of personal and historical narratives within a French-Algerian family, the Cassars, spanning from 1940 to 2010. It digs into themes of displacement, belonging, and the legacy of colonialism as experienced by the pieds-noir community. Messud illuminates the enduring effects of political upheaval and cultural dislocation on identity and family bonds.
This story begins with a reflective prologue by a narrator who contemplates the weight of family history and personal memory. It follows François Cassar along with his sister Denise, mother Lucienne, and aunt Jeanne, evacuating Greece to Algeria as the German army advances into France. Their father remains in Greece and tries to navigate his duty to his country amidst the war’s chaos. As the narrative progresses, it traces the Cassar family's journey through various countries, including France, Canada, and Australia. It details the personal conflicts and secrets that arise from their fractured histories. François grows up in the shadow of his father's expectations, grappling with the weight of familial responsibilities.
The focus gradually shifts to the younger generation, particularly the grandchildren of the original Cassar family. As they come of age, they embark on a quest to uncover the hidden layers of their family's past. This period is marked by a rediscovery of cultural roots with some members returning to Algeria in search of reconciliation and meaning. In the 2010s, the novel culminates in a series of confrontations and revelations that challenge the family members’ understanding of their place in the world. As the story concludes, the characters realize that their fates are forever intertwined with the tumultuous history of Algeria and France.
Messud’s work highlights the pieds-noir experience as a community historically marginalized and vilified in both Algerian and French contexts. Through her characters, Messud interrogates the moral ambiguities of colonialism and the impacts of cultural dislocation. Her portrayal of the Cassar family's struggles reflects the psychological and social trauma experienced by those who were forcibly uprooted from their homeland during the Algerian War of Independence. Additionally, the use of a Shakespearean quote suggests a meditation on the cyclical nature of human experiences and the inevitability of change.
