"A rich family saga . . . [written with] voluptuous lyricism and emotional precision . . . Ambitious . . . Kaleidoscopic . . . Compelling." –
The Washington Post "It is no small feat to render a place and time as vividly as Slimani does in
Watch Us Dance." –The Cut "Explores identity, rebellion, race and family dynamics in rich, irresistible prose." –
Ms. magazine "There are several [books on my nightstand] right now, but only one that I can't put down, and that is
Watch Us Dance by Leila Slimani. . . . It's terrific." –
Claudine Gay, Harvard University "Engrossing . . . Quietly devastating . . . [Slimani] has the novelist's rare skill of being able to nail a life in a single observation. . . . A novel that glides along with swan-like grace." –
The Sunday Times (U.K.) "[A] rich account of how a family's life entwines with history . . . Sprawling, enjoyable . . . Enlivened with richly descriptive writing that never romanticizes its subject matter." –
The Telegraph "Convincing and enveloping . . . Expansive and intimate . . . [with] enthralling passages of lush description . . . expert precision and perceptiveness . . . and vivid, colorful brushstrokes . . . Slimani's writing is beautifully atmospheric and has a panoramic, classic quality." –
Financial Times "Engrossing . . .
Watch Us Dance brings the complexity of the post-colonial period in Morocco vividly to life." –
Elle (U.K.) "One of Slimani's most ambitious [novels] yet . . . A story about rebellion and repression, belonging and appearance, love and its betrayal. It is infused with a raw earthiness." –
The Economist "Although Slimani's vibrant imagery evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of Morocco, the themes feel universal." –
The New Statesman "Adeptly paints a portrait of Morocco at a complicated moment in time." –
Town & Country "[A novel whose] themes emerge gracefully in Slimani's languid, atmospheric prose." –
Star Tribune "A super interesting book . . . A global literary thriller . . . It's page-turning, it's dishy, it's kind of sexy . . . From a fiction-reading perspective, this might be my number-one pick on this list [of candidates for the 'it' book of June]." –
Jeff O'Neal, First Edition: A Book Riot Podcast "A tense page-turner . . . complete with the realities of corruption, racism, influence, celebration, and American hippies practicing free love and drugs." –
Fathom "Heartfelt . . . A powerful portrait of a country and family in transition and characters bombarded by prejudice . . . Seamlessly shifts perspectives among the four family members, each perspective captivating in its own way." –
Shelf Awareness "Convincing and immersive . . . An accomplished portrait of a time and place . . . Slimani continues to prove herself a powerful writer." –
Publishers Weekly "An illuminating intergenerational drama . . . Paint[s] a comprehensive picture of a family and a country in the grips of an identity crisis." –
Kirkus Reviews
