Fatima's Good Fortune by Joanne Dryansky, Gerry Dryansky

Fatima's Good Fortune (Beeler)

by Joanne Dryansky and Gerry Dryansky

She can change your life. If only she could change her own...deep in the heart of romantic Paris, in the elegant Sixteenth Arrondissement, at the top of a smart apartment building on Avenue Victor-Hugo, on the sixth floor at the end of a long landing, there is a housemaid's simple room. This is Fatima Monsour's new home. She has left her life, family and friends on a beautiful Tunisian island to work for the exacting Countess Poulais du Roc. Baffled by even the most mundane tasks, only Fatima's natural compassion and sheer grit ensure her survival - and gradually her unique gift for altering the lives of those around her begins to have an astonishing effect. Irresistibly touching and witty, this story of love, loneliness and determination is alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of Paris. Fatima's Good Fortune is a tribute to the power of kindness in an unpredictable world and an unforgettable portait of "la belle Paris".

Reviewed by Heather on

3 of 5 stars

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"Freshly arrived from a beautiful Tunisian island to work for the exacting Countess Poulais du Roc, Fatima finds herself in a city where even the most mundane tasks like walking the dog and buying the groceries prove baffling. But her natural compassion ensures her survival, and-unexpectedly-brings good fortune to those around her."



Fatima's younger sister, Rachida, moved from the Tunisian island of Djerba to Paris to make a better life for herself.  She was working as a maid for the Countess when she was killed in an accident.  The Countess remembers that Rachida had a sister and imperiously sends for her to take her sister's place.  She considers this a mission of charity but doesn't think about the impact on Fatima's life.  That is the major character flaw of the Countess.  She is so self-centered that she doesn't think about the needs of anyone other than herself and her dog, Emma.  She moves through other people's lives like a battering ram oblivious to the damage that she is causing.  She takes credit for good deeds that others have done and never gets called out on her casual racism.

She is shocked to find out that Fatima is nothing like her sister.  Fatima went to work in a resort as a cleaner as a child.  This income allowed Rachida to go to school.  Fatima is illiterate.  She is not as worldly as Rachida.  Life in France is overwhelming to her.

Fatima enlists the help of others in her building to help her learn the skills that she needs to survive in France.  She has a warmth that draws others to her and makes them want to help her.  The reader sees this slice of Paris through the eyes of a North African immigrant who isn't always welcomed.

The ending is mostly an immigrant fairy tale.  Everything works out wonderfully and not that realistically.  This book tries to make a light and fun tale out of some serious subjects - immigration, class inequality, the death of a family member - so even as you root for the characters it feels jarring like no one is taking this as seriously as is merited.

 This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 November, 2016: Finished reading
  • 22 November, 2016: Reviewed