☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

In her debut novel, The Last One, Fatima Daas presents a poignant autofiction centered on identity. Her narrative, both contemporary and intimate, manipulates form and rhythm to articulate the complexities of her experiences. Whether in the subway, the doctor's office, the classroom, the arms of a lover, or her mother's kitchen, Fatima continually challenges societal expectations, often inadvertently. However, her story transcends a mere search for meaning; it explores the tension between the desire to merge with others and the need to remain separate. In her relationships and her spiritual life, Fatima asserts her right to reject binary choices. She is an asthmatic tomboy, a struggling yet gifted student, a Muslim, French, Algerian, and polyamorous woman—all at once—striving to reconcile the fragmented pieces of her identity.

Fatima Daas opts for autofiction over autobiography. Although the narrator shares the author's name, it serves as a pseudonym to protect her family. She grew up in Clichy-sous-Bois, a Parisian suburb, and came into the literary spotlight with the release of The Last One in the 2020 French literary season. Her writing, reminiscent of slam poetry and echoing Marguerite Duras¹, reflects reality without compromise. She does not idealize her working-class neighborhood or her family to counteract Islamophobic biases. Rather, she delves into the complexities of her experiences, navigating a myriad of cultural norms as if walking a tightrope.

Sexuality is central to Fatima's narrative of identity. Caught between pervasive homophobia and her undeniable attraction to women, Fatima often feels lost in defining herself. She seeks guidance from imams and solace in her lovers but ultimately relies on her convictions. Beyond conforming to her parents' or imams' expectations about her sexuality, she forges a personal connection with God and Islam, one rooted in love rather than obligation. Writing becomes a sanctuary where her faith and her sexuality coexist harmoniously. Additionally, the novel skillfully illustrates how sexual and gender identities do not exist in isolation. Fatima is not just a lesbian; she is the youngest daughter, intended to be the youngest son. Could this be a foretelling of her breaking away from gender norms? Through her alienation from imposed gender roles, Fatima underscores that both gender and sexuality are integral to identity. No matter how fervently we might wish it, escaping from ourselves is impossible.

¹ Marguerite Duras is a novelist and playwright who left a significant mark on 20th-century French literature. She achieved great success, notably with her novel The Lover, which won the Prix Goncourt in 1984.

Reference

Author: Fatima Daas
Title: La petite dernière
Publication date: November 2, 2020 (in Quebec)
Publisher: Notabilia

This book in available in bookstores for $21.99.