The Caliph’s House is a captivating story charting a year in the life of one family who takes a tremendous gamble allowing us to discover a world of deep contrasts any true adventurer would be thrilled to call home.Īward-winning, internationally bestselling author Tahar Ben Jelloun tells the story of a Moroccan brother and sister making new lives for themselves in Spain. Where Islamic tradition and African folklore converge–nothing is as easy as it seems. From exorcism rituals involving sacrificial goats to dealing with gangster neighbours, the Shahs must cope with a new culture and the remarkable, sometimes bizarre experiences they have in the process. With the home empty for many years, the fervent belief in their presence hampers sleep and renovation plans. Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Shah documents his family’s move to Casablanca to renovate a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea that once belonged to the city’s caliph or spiritual leader.Īfter signing the contract, Tahir is amazed to learn the house is infested with jinns invisible evil spirits said to occupy empty spaces. Equally hilarious and harrowing, this is the story of his family’s move from London to the city of Casablanca.

In a similar vein to A House In Fez, English travel writer Tahir Shah shares an entertaining and amusing account of making an exotic dream come true. A world, with all its failings, horror and splendour. Like a good travel companion and friend, Harris takes the reader by the hand and shows us the Morocco he knew. A mix of elegance and poverty, culture and barbarism, refined cruelty with naive humour.Ī vivid and lively combination of the perceptive and reliable observer, and romantic eccentric, this book remains a travel classic for good reason. These are the vanished days of the unfettered Sultanate in all their dark, melodramatic splendour. Harris’ writing puts unusual humanism and detail to the historical parade of conquests and political manoeuvring that defined Morocco during his years there. Morocco That Was is alternately sharp, melodramatic, and extremely funny. Legend has it, only three Christians had ever visited the walled city of Chefchaouen: one came for an hour disguised as a rabbi, one was poisoned, and the other was Harris. Having a reputation for being capable of even befriending his kidnapper, Harris was a friend to at least three of the ruling Sultans. First published in 1921, Morocco That Was is a first-hand narrative of that pivotal turning point in Morocco’s history. He died in Tangier in 1933 having lived through the tumultuous last years of Morocco’s ruling Sultans and the loss of the country’s independence. Walter Harris first arrived in Morocco in 1887 as a correspondent for The Times of London.

Secret Son by Laila Lalami