In Morocco (Paperback)

by Edith Wharton (Author) "To step on board a steamer in a Spanish port, and three hours later to land in a country without a guide-book, is a sensation..." (more)
Key Phrases: Moulay Idriss, General Lyautey, North Africa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
During her travels in Morocco in 1917, Wharton kept a rather complete, descriptive account of her experiences. As expected of such a superbly talented author, her observations are well written and interesting. While this gives listeners a real feel for desert living and tribes, it does not include a map, which would have been helpful in following and better understanding her journey. Wharton provides some historical perspective and unusual insight into the travel of that period and into the lives of women. Her account of visits to harems provide the most educational and fascinating listening. Anna Fields reads beautifully, gliding through a great many difficult names, making only one detectable pronunciation error. Unfortunately, old travel books normally attract a rather limited audience. True armchair travelers or those with a special interest in Morocco may be interested. Libraries seeking older verbal travelogs should consider.
-Carolyn Alexander, Brigadoon Lib., Salinas, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review
Independent on Sunday: "There was no guide book to the country before this one." "descriptions brim with life and colour." The Times: "Wharton on the road is an inexhaustible joy."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850436398
• ISBN-13: 978-1850436393
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #543,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #38 in

  Books > Travel > Africa > Morocco

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Edith Wharton's Orientalism, May 7, 2000

By	Spencer D. Segalla "fartels_bear" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: In Morocco (Ecco Travels) (Paperback)

Fans of Edith Wharton who are hoping to see her usual insightful wit will be disappointed with this book. Likewise will those hoping to learn something about the real Morocco. Instead, what this book provides is a fascinatingly nauseating example of racist, orientalist cliches: the eroticization, the emphasis on mystery, decreptitude, etc. One classic bit is the description of the souks full of "savages" "consumptive Jews" and "lusty slave girls." But my favorite is when a windstorm in the Djmaa el Fnaa suddenly appears, "stripping to the waist the slave girls scudding home to the souks." There are some peculiar twists to her vision of Morocco, but I won't go further. Buy this book if you are interested in such things. But first read Said's Orientalism, if this stuff is new to you. If you are planning to travel to Morocco, buy the Rough Guide and Culture Shock: Morocco.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's been along while since, August 9, 2008

By	The Purple Bee (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Morocco (Dodo Press) (Paperback)

It's been along while since I read this book but after the negative review, I must read again.
I remember her descriptions of Morocco and the people being quite fascinating but I don't remember them being racist......maybe, this world of Moroc was so far from the culture she was accustomed. Maybe this book encouraged people to visit and find out for themselves. I loved Morocco and it's people, but I also enjoyed the book back then.
Moroc was the most exciting place I had been as of 2000.
Maybe, we've come a long way, Baby! Let's only hope!