Tangier: More Than Just a Backdrop in “Tangerine”

Tangier: More Than Just a Backdrop in “Tangerine”

Christine Mangan’s “Tangerine,” which hit the shelves in 2018, isn’t just a thriller; it’s a journey into the heart of 1950s Tangier, Morocco. And let me tell you, Tangier itself? It’s practically another character in the story, twisting and turning the plot right along with Alice and Lucy.

Think of it: Tangier back then was this crazy International Zone, run by a committee of nine countries. Imagine the vibe! It was a magnet for all sorts – smugglers, silver screen stars, and those desperate to ditch their pasts. Mangan nails this feeling, this sense of a city teetering on the edge. It was a place where you could be whoever you wanted, and secrets? Buried deep.

Mangan paints such a vivid picture of the place. You can practically feel the heat radiating off the page, smell the mint tea brewing in the cafes, and get lost in the maze of the medina. It’s beautiful, sure, but there’s an undercurrent of something darker, something unsettling. Tangier’s not just pretty; it’s a bit menacing, too.

And here’s where it gets interesting. The city isn’t just a pretty picture; it’s a reflection of what’s going on inside Alice and Lucy’s heads. Alice, fresh off the boat with her hubby, John, is completely overwhelmed. She’s practically glued to her apartment, scared to death of the chaos outside. Lucy, on the other hand? She dives headfirst into Tangier, all confidence and independence. She’s got her own agenda, and she’s using the city to get what she wants.

See, Tangier is a different beast depending on who’s looking at it. For Alice, it’s a threat to her sanity. But for Lucy? It’s a playground, ripe for manipulation.

Now, the story’s set in 1956, right when Morocco was kicking Spain to the curb and fighting for its independence. It’s not the main focus, but you can feel the tension in the air, that sense of change rumbling beneath the surface. It just adds another layer of unease to the whole thing.

Mangan, with her PhD in Gothic lit, really leans into that dark side. Tangier, with its shadowy streets and packed markets, becomes this modern Gothic landscape. It’s like those classic Gothic novels where the setting traps you, makes you paranoid, and hints at something terrible about to happen.

Bottom line? Tangier in 1956 is the heart and soul of “Tangerine.” Mangan doesn’t just describe it; she makes it breathe. The city shapes the story, messes with the characters, and leaves you feeling like you’ve just stepped off a plane into a world of secrets and shadows.