What I am afraid of being old is not being capable of remembering my past, and my loved ones. It's our responsibility to know the history. This is a long journey of Cassar's spanning from 1940 to 2010. The story starts with Gaston Cassar, a native of Algeria, a former French colony. His family was compelled to flee their homeland around 1940 due to the German invasion of France, while he served as a naval officer defending the country. They lost the war. The new France is not the same. They struggled and never lived in Algeria again. The aftermath influenced his children, François and Denise. The scars of wartime displacement, both physical and emotional, continued to haunt them, leading to feelings of strangeness and isolation, a constant reminder of their humble origins and genteel poverty.
This book is an unmistakably resonant lesson for our times. Reflecting on their origin story at the end of the book evoked a variety of emotions. Moreover, it leaves some uncertainties. Worrying about seeing someone struggling as they get older and the thought of dementia or having a stroke scares me so much.
Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing and Izah for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙
*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store
*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store