Olivia had always heard stories about Algeria from her maternal grandmother, who had emigrated to France after the Algerian War of Independence. Years after her grandmother's death, Olivia decides to travel to Algeria and experience the country for herself; she arrives alone, with only a single phone number in her pocket of an Algerian, Djaffar, who will act as her guide. Olivia's quest to understand her origins will bring her to face questions about heritage, history, shame, friendship, nostalgia, and memory. * A combination travelogue and memoir exploring the rich heritage and tumultuous modern history of Algeria and its connections to Europe and colonialism. * An appealing story about a strong, modern woman and her desire to understand her family's origins, set within the urgent politics of the Middle East and the West..
