Coucou les French learners,
Before traveling to a new country, I love to immerse myself in its stories and culture through reading.
Since discovering Charlotte Mason’s pedagogy, I’ve been trying to read more living books.
They are books that bring a subject to life, full of passion, imagination, and emotional depth.
Charlotte Mason, a 19th-century British educator, believed living books are essential because they nourish the mind and spirit far beyond dry facts or textbooks.
These books are written by authors truly passionate about their topics and invite readers to think deeply, feel genuinely, and connect authentically with the world.
🌍 Reading About Morocco Through a Living Book
As I prepared for our trip to Morocco this April, I chose several living books about the country, one of which was Mon père, le Maroc et moi by Driss Ghali.
Ghali is a Moroccan-born writer and analyst, now living in Brazil, who grew up speaking French fluently, a legacy of Morocco’s history as a former French protectorate.
His book struck a deep chord with me, as he writes with a personal yet clear-eyed voice, blending introspection and social critique.
The book chronicles the weeks following his father’s death in Morocco in 2018. During this time, Ghali confronts the stark reality of a country struggling with corruption, moral decline, and social contradictions.
Through this journey of grief and cultural rediscovery, Ghali explores themes of exile, identity, and the evolving face of modern Morocco. He delivers a powerful testimony that honors personal memory while encouraging collective understanding and dialogue.
🎤 Conversation with Driss Ghali on YouTube
I recently had the honor to speak with Driss Ghali about Mon père, le Maroc et moi in a free video conversation available on YouTube.
Click here to listen to the conversation!
Why watch this interview?
Because beyond the personal story, Driss Ghali offers profound insights on Morocco’s transformations 🇲🇦, family and memory 👪, identity and exile 🧬, and cultural encounters 🌍.
This conversation is best suited for advanced French learners, as the French is spoken quite quickly.
Listen to the podcast here!
Remember, the goal is to understand the general idea, not every word.
If it feels overwhelming, simply back off and listen to more comprehensible stories available on our site to deepen your comprehension confidently.
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Warmly,
Alice Ayel 🌼
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