The story takes place in Algeria which is situated in North Africa.It was a french
colony during 132 years.yasmina khadra, the author, shows us how Younès,that good-
looking boy,aged only 10,born and raised in a poor rural family witnessed his father's
decline the day a criminal fire destroyed the crop which would likely put an end to that terrible poverty.
Under such circumstances,the proud father accepted to send Younès to his brother's,
a chemist,married to Germaine,a catholic girl he met at the University of Oran.
As soon as he started leading an urban life, he was called Jonas and was considered as
a member of the french community.He made lots of friends and lived a very pleasant
childhood playing numerous games and fell in love with Emily,a fantastic french girl.
Unfortunately, the upcoming war leading to the independence of Algeria ruined their
relationship and they realized that the deep and strong love they had not only for
each other but also for the same country was completely annihilated and that life was
so destructive,so painful,so harmful, so cruel,so....