Rabat – Éric Joël Békalé’s latest novel, “Aïcha Lalla Kandisha ou les amoureux de l’hôtel la Tour Hassan (2025),” tells the story of Flavien, a Gabonese diplomat on assignment in Rabat.
One chance meeting at the Tour Hassan hotel changes everything. Flavien crosses paths with a mysterious woman who evokes the legendary Aïcha Lalla Kandisha, a Moroccan figure said to seduce and trap men.
The novel moves quickly between Rabat and Libreville. Rabat is bright and modern but hides a mystical side. Libreville, in contrast, offers warmth, ancestral wisdom, and the calm of the equatorial night.
These cities reflect Flavien’s inner journey. He is pulled between desire and duty, reality and myth.
Békalé pairs the Moroccan legend with Gabonese folklore, incorporating Mami Wata, a water spirit renowned for her beauty and power.
Both figures appear at night, both lure men, and both test the limits of human desire. This pairing connects North and Central Africa through shared stories and cultural imagination.
To confront the spell of Aïcha, Flavien turns to Papa-Mokukwe, a traditional healer. Through Bwiti rites and the use of iboga, he faces visions that challenge his mind and spirit. The novel explores obsession, love, and personal transformation.
Békalé’s writing is poetic and vivid. The book blends realism with magical moments. Water, flowers, and city streets become symbols of change and passage. Scenes are short and immersive, with touches of humor to balance the tension.
A prolific writer and diplomat, Békalé has a history of connecting African myths with contemporary life. His earlier works include “Libreville, mon amour (2021)” and “Le mystère de rose (2018).”
In this novel, he continues to explore identity, tradition, and the unseen forces shaping human experience.
“Aïcha Lalla Kandisha ou les amoureux de l’hôtel la Tour Hassan” is published by Éditions La Croisée des Chemins, collection Sembura, 2025, 168 pages, priced at MAD 90.
