The Last One

by Fatima Daas
The Last One cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £11.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 1077
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781635421859
  • Publisher: Other Press, LLC
  • Published: 2021-11-23
  • Formats: 17
  • Reviews: 4

The Last One is a deeply personal and lyrical exploration of identity, as Fatima Daas delves into her experiences growing up as the youngest daughter of Algerian immigrants in a Paris banlieue. The novel captures the contradictions and struggles of her journey, from her family's taboos around love and sexuality to her own self-discovery and acceptance of her attraction to women. Through her experiences in therapy and her relationship with Nina, Fatima grapples with the expectations placed upon her and the complexities of her faith. This extraordinary debut is a vital portrait of a young woman finding her voice and place in a modern world full of contradictions. The novel's refrain, 'My name is Fatima,' anchors the narrative and underscores the author's journey towards self-acceptance and understanding.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-18
disappointing 2.50

The book is praised for its intricate prose and brief chapters, but ultimately falls flat in delivering an excellent novel. The important message is noted, but the execution is seen as lacking.

The reviewer appreciates the intricate prose and brief chapters, which are seen as strong points of the book. However, they feel that the book ultimately falls flat in delivering an excellent novel. The important message is noted, but the execution is seen as lacking, leaving the reader with a sense of unfinished potential.

Quick quotes

    With intricate prose and brief chapters, as well as an important message, this book had all the makings of an excellent novel, and yet it fell flat.

    The important message is noted, but the execution is seen as lacking.

    Leaving the reader with a sense of unfinished potential.

Amazon.co.uk · 2025-10-17
Beautiful 4.50

A beautiful and dreamlike read that feels like a poem, fantasy, and dream all at once.

This review describes the book as beautiful and dreamlike, comparing it to a poem, fantasy, and dream. The reviewer highly recommends the book, praising its unique and captivating style. The book is seen as a must-read for those who enjoy lyrical and imaginative writing.

Quick quotes

    Beautiful. I do recommend buying and reading this.

    It felt like a poem, a fantasy, and a dream.

    The book is seen as a must-read for those who enjoy lyrical and imaginative writing.

Lesbrary · 2025-06-06
Intriguing 3.50

A novel that shifts between finality and ongoingness, exploring identity and sexuality in a unique narrative style.

This review discusses the book's unique narrative style, which shifts between finality and ongoingness. The reviewer notes that the book explores themes of identity and sexuality, but also mentions that the narrative can feel fragmented at times. Overall, the book is praised for its originality and the way it challenges traditional storytelling.

Quick quotes

    A novel abandoned mid-sentence, like all the others before it.

    Even the book's title suggests both finality and ongoingness—shifting from the ...

    The book is praised for its originality and the way it challenges traditional storytelling.

Daisy Sainsbury's Blog · 2022-08-22
thoughtful 4.00

The book is noted for its original and complex exploration of identity, presented in an autobiographical style. The reviewer finds it a unique and thought-provoking read.

This review highlights the book's original and complex exploration of identity, presented in an autobiographical style. The reviewer appreciates the unique perspective and the way the author delves into the complexities of identity. The narrative's honesty and depth make it a compelling read, offering insights into the protagonist's journey. The reviewer finds the book to be both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, making it a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Fatima Daas's The Last One is an autobiographical novel that presents an original and complex exploration of identity.

    The narrative's honesty and depth make it a compelling read.

    The book offers insights into the protagonist's journey that are both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

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