Agatha's Odyssey

By Kawtar LATIFI

How about stepping into a world of chaos and oppression? 

In Agatha's Odyssey, a brave woman's journey takes center stage - as she goes from a difficult childhood to a promising love story, until reality reshapes her path. This book boldly delves into the life of Agatha who struggles to mend her wounded inner child, and sheds light on the silenced voices of oppressed women. 
With every turn of the page,  suspense arises as Agatha's love story with Ivan takes an unforeseen direction. What unfolds next will keep your perceptions challenged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kawtar LATIFI
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224050109

Kawtar LATIFI

Hopeless romantic, fierce women advocate, and a passionate wordsmith. Kawtar LATIFI is a 24-year-old writer hailing from the charming city of Berkane in northeastern Morocco. Growing up in a small town, Kawtar found her sanctuary in books and writing. "Agatha's Odyssey" marks Kawtar's first venture as an author, but she's no stranger to sharing her thoughts. She's written short texts and poems since a young age. Kawtar's writing draws inspiration from her small-town background, the world around her and other works of literature and poetry. Her work focuses primarily on romance, mental health and issues that concern women.

Book preview

To my mom, who has weathered storms and emerged even stronger,

To my sister Souhayla, and her unwavering belief in me.

To Oumaima, my dearest friend and confidante,

Your words have been a driving force behind every word I have written.

To Wissal, my soldier through every storm and calm.

To Ayat, my comforting oasis when in despair.

To Souad, my confidante, and my rock for 11 years now.

To Hajar, Hind, Fatimazahra, and Maroua,

May you find in these pages the courage and the power you need to face the challenges that lie ahead.

And to every woman I know, who has faced struggles with courage and grace,

This book is dedicated to you, in recognition of the impact you have had on my writing.

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Preface:

This book portrays the story of a young woman, Agatha, who grew up in a world of chaos and violence, and the journey she went through to overcome the trauma that threatened to outline her life.

Although this story is not based on my personal experience, it is one that I know by heart. As a writer and a human being, I have encountered numberless women who have lived through similar situations, whose stories are just as powerful and heartbreaking as the one I am about to share.

For many women, the journey to healing begins with acknowledging the pain that they have endured. It takes courage to accept the memories that have haunted them, to confront the fear that has kept them trapped in a cycle of abuse and despair.

The story you are about to read is a tribute to all the women who have found the strength to break free from the chains of their past and embrace a brighter future.

It's a story of a young woman who, like so many others, grew up in a home filled with chaos and violence. Despite the odds stacked against her, she refused to let her past define her future. With unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge, she left her hometown and embarked on a journey to build a better life for herself.

She found love and happiness in the arms of a man who seemed to be her perfect match. Together, they built a life that was filled with joy and hope. But all of that came crashing down when she discovered painful truths.

What followed was a harrowing journey of survival, as she fought to protect herself and her dreams from the chaos that surrounded her. She found allies in unexpected places and discovered the power of her own voice as she fought to reclaim her identity and her story.

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This book is not just a retelling of one woman's journey; it's a tribute to the strength and resilience of all women who have survived trauma and abuse. It's a reminder that, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we have the power within us to overcome them and emerge stronger and wiser.

Chapter I

Chaos, 

I have always liked this word. It placed my mind in the grip of immense anarchy, upheaval, a charming confusion. I have always admired moving in an atmosphere of incoherence, surrounded by an exhilarating disorder. Moments after my birth, incoherence emerged from the shadows and executed the most chaotic fresco that humanity has ever known.

My name is Agatha, a Greek name for courage and bravery. By giving me this first name, my mother wished to inspire me with the audacity that she could never really taste. She gave me birth on a freezing winter morning. I was born in a small town; despised but exquisite. Amarancia, a spanish analogue for bitter orange. 

In the midst of chaos, Amarancia stood as a humble haven, its charm was never measured by grandeur nor its beauty by the extravagant. Though not the biggest nor the most stunning, its place in my heart remained special. The moment I set foot on its sweet-scented soil, a joyous flutter ignited within me, and a unique solace embraced my soul.

Amarancia, my hometown, stood for simplicity and serenity. Its quaint architecture, displayed on small houses, blended seamlessly with the faint bouquet of spilled orange juice that permeates the air. When wandering around its narrow streets, my troubled heart would find a fortress against the immensity of the world, and a soothing shelter for my chaotic mind.

At times, I despised this city for stifling her big dreams. Yet I now realize that without Amarancia's graceful assets, I would never have dared to imagine beyond its lines. It is this city that has nurtured my impetuous passion and helped me bloom into the woman I have become. 

Amarancia's land, like a haunting melody, lingers on my palate, eliciting an aura of ease and comfort. This city, like a guiding lantern, elucidated the mysteries of my mind and inspired me to pursue my aspirations with fervor. Amidst the chaos of the world, this city remained my sanctuary, a cherished abode that had shaped me in ways beyond words.

My arrival to the world was a disappointment to my parents. Their faces were clouded with distress, overshadowing any glimpse of joy. They had hoped for a son who would make them proud, not a helpless girl. Growing up, I was taught to always shrink into a fetal position - head lowered, back bent, and a shy gaze. I despised myself for being a woman, for having a fragile heart, and for the pain that came with it.

I could barely recall the last time my mother smiled. Her face was pale and mournful, her ageless appearance adding to her despair. Her gaze was always downcast, and her bitter demeanor only emphasized the weight on her shoulders. Wearing tattered clothes, her cheeks drooped, and the exhaustion seemed to follow her everywhere. Although she loved me in silence, she was never able to express it in front of my father. When he left the house, she would stroke my cheeks and hair, but the moment he returned, her icy gaze and gloomy demeanor returned. I would then escape to my room and read until I fell asleep. 

Chapter II

I was six years old when I started primary school. I still remember the vivid excitement I felt on my first day - the chance to make friends, read new books, and learn new things. Thirty minutes before class started, I was already at the school gates, alone, waiting for them to open. As the other students arrived, I saw their eyes blazing with joy and excitement.

I was happy. Relieved. Finally, far from my father's screams and my mother's sobs. Entering the classroom was like entering a world of color and wonder, surrounded by giant geometric shapes that captivated everyone's attention. I looked around and saw children laughing and playing, their eyes shining with happiness. School had quickly become my getaway and my favorite place. 

As I reminisce about my childhood, my heart fills with warmth, recalling the blissful innocence of those years. The world seemed full of wonder and possibilities, and my days were filled with laughter and joy. But my carefree days were short-lived. As I entered my teenage years and ventured into high school, the world around me seemed to darken, and the innocence that once illuminated my life began to fade.

It was the first day of high school when I witnessed three girls bullying Julie, the red-haired student. They taunted her, throwing paper balls and calling her names like carrot hair and cow's tail.