This is the story of Salie, who lives in France, and her little brother Madické, living in their home village at the Island of Niodior in Senegal, who dreams of migrating to France to be a famous soccer player.
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A central part of this book is Eurocentrism. Most of the story takes place in this tiny village in Senegal, with diversions from the author to tell the tales of other inhabitants of the island, but somehow "France" is always present. The solution to all problems, the unattainable ideal.

In her debut, Diome gets inspired by her own life growing up in Niodior and her path through migration to France. Her unraveling of life on the island, local customs, beliefs, culture, and social hardships, opportunities, and constraints, are all beautifully explored, and the text is marvelously drafted.