“Madame Rosa was the only person who ever loved me for nothing.”
The novel is narrated by Momo, a young Arab boy living in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris under the care of Madame Rosa, an aging Jewish Holocaust survivor and former prostitute who now runs an informal daycare for the children of sex workers. Momo, abandoned by his birth mother, forms a deep bond with Madame Rosa, who treats him with tough love and wisdom despite her declining health.
As the story progresses, Madame Rosa’s health deteriorates, and she begins hiding in her basement “oubliette” (a reference to her traumatic past) to avoid being taken to a hospital. Momo becomes her primary caretaker, stealing food and medicine to sustain her while navigating the harsh realities of their impoverished neighborhood.
The novel explores their unconventional family dynamic alongside Momo’s coming-of-age experiences – his friendships with other marginalized children, his first romantic feelings, and his growing awareness of society’s prejudices. When Madame Rosa finally dies, Momo must confront his grief and uncertain future, ending with his poignant decision to honor her memory in his own way.
Key ideas
- The resilience of marginalized communities in urban environments
- The formation of unconventional families through shared trauma
- The lasting psychological impact of the Holocaust on survivors
- The innocence of childhood perspective on adult suffering
- The intersection of Jewish and Arab experiences in postwar France
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in postwar French literature and immigrant narratives
- Those who appreciate unconventional coming-of-age stories
- Anyone exploring themes of trauma, memory and surrogate parenthood
- Fans of narrators with distinctive, authentic voices