A fearless exposure to the secrets and lies of women’s intimate lives, by bestselling author of The Perfect Nanny, Adèle, and In the Country of Others.

“All the powerful – politicians, parents, teachers – maintain the same view: ‘Do what you like, but do it privately’.”

Leila Slimani is in her native Morocco to promote her novel Adèle, about a woman addicted to sex, when she begins to meet women who reveal the dark secrets of their love life. their education. In Morocco, adultery, abortion, homosexuality, prostitution and extramarital sex are all punishable by law, and women have only two choices: Be a wife or be a virgin. Sex and Lies has combined vivid, often offensive evidence with Slimani’s intelligent and passionate commentary to create a stirring case for a sexual revolution in the Arab world.

A realistic and interesting depiction of personal life, social and political challenges in Morocco. Also somewhat typical of the Arab world.