The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlem Mosteghanemi

Review by Sarbashree Mallik

The Short 

The Bridges of Constantine is an emotional and heartrending love story. The first novel in an award-winning, bestselling trilogy that revolves around Algerian history.

The Long 

This book is the first of a best-selling, award-winning trilogy, originally published in Arabic in the year 1993 and in English in 1999. This is one of the richest and most evocative books you will come across. It is both a spectacular tale of Algeria between the 1930s and 1980s, and an earnest and aching tale of love and fate. A passionate anecdote that commemorates a heartfelt emotion from within by an artist (protagonist) for a woman who enables him to finally come to terms with his history and his country. 

To read or not to read? 

Yes! If you are looking out for the real depiction of emotions and an assertive approach to love, then The Bridges of Constantine is for you.