The Journey Of Solika Hatchwell

Solika Hatchwell, or Zuleikha Hatchwell, or, as she was known in Morocco (Sol) Hatchwell, was a beautiful Jewish girl from the city of Tangier in northern Morocco; her family were Sephardic Jews who had emigrated from Al-Andalus.

Solika first came to light in 1817 and disappeared in 1834, according to what has been found and recorded in history books; thus, the heroine of our novel lived only seventeen years.

But why has Solika become something of a legend to this day? And how did fact blend with rumor to become a historical tale?

Soulikha became known throughout Morocco at the time because of what she endured between 1832 and 1834; this was after she was accused of apostasy and after the Moroccan court in the city of Fez issued a sentence to behead her and subsequently send her body and head to the pyre.

From that day until now, “Lalla Souleika” has been known for what she endured in the prime of her youth.