Stealing Fatima's Hand is an unforgettable collection of interconnected narratives presenting an alternative view of Morocco - a country not of labyrinthine alleys, Kasbahs, and smoky tea rooms - but a more madcap Morocco, one left to be discovered after all the coach tours depart. Imagine the impossible: one finds oneself in a heady and mysterious locale on the edge of North Africa, a country replete with colorful characters, incomprehensible customs and taboos, a spoken language lacking an alphabet, often frustrating religious practices and, in spite of all this capital 'E' exoticism, one still doesn't want to marry a local? Or turn a decrepit ryad into a boutique hotel? Or write for the travel page in the Sunday paper? Carolyn Thériault does more than imagine it. After making a rather drunken New Year's Resolution to toss aside their conventional lifestyle and pension plans, Carolyn, a somewhat cynical, snarky ex-pat and self-proclaimed square-peg, with her photographer husband Chris decide to walk away from their comfortable jobs in the Land of the Round Doorknobs (Canada) to travel the world. Because their long-suffering attempts at financial independence (weekly lottery tickets) have not borne any fruit, the only apparent means to rectify this situation they believe is to teach English overseas. And Morocco seems to fit the bill. But does it? Unconventional and candid - Stealing Fatima's Hand stands out as an irreverent black sheep in the literary travel genre, succeeding in undoing for Morocco everything that Peter Mayle has done for Provence. The book spans two years of Carolyn's experiences in Rabat, where with humor and honesty she struggles with Moroccan bureaucracy, sexual harassment, the threat of terrorism, devious students, randy co-teachers, and the temptation of having French pastries washed down with gin & tonics for every meal. All this in a country, where apart from her, the only vegetarians are the sheep and the goats.
Stealing Fatima's Hand
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Have you ever picked up something and expected one thing and then get something totally different? Honestly, I don't know what I expected from this book, but what I got was a trip to a place I have only dreamed about. Stealing Fatima's Hand is absolutely hilarious and at the same time heartwarming. Carolyn Thériault is quite a storyteller. Her escapades and adventures are enchanting and a little disturbing in their candor. As a brand new international traveler, I can tell you that remembering my recent trip to Pakistan, I found myself laughing nearly to the point of tears while nodding right along with many of her mishaps and experiences. Whether you've ever been anywhere or not, I highly recommend this book. It's one adventure not to be missed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By jibli
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Carolyn Theriault presents a boisterous account of a stay in Morocco, where she taught English for two years in the capital, Rabat.
This is a fearlessly honest book focussing on the many things she didn't like. In which other book can one find mention of the unique- and to a westerner, insane- positioning of Moroccan traffic lights?
Unlike other authors who dutifully trot out details of ancient history, Ms. Theriault only dips into the past in the last 20 pages to help underline her negative response to Moroccans. (There is no report of any "social" contact with them.)
She manages to dilute her aversion to this foreign culture somewhat with the buffoonery of her literary style/persona (her real self?), and her rant works to a certain extent due to her powers of observation, but her distaste for their way of life keeps her from entering in any meaningful way into Moroccan reality. She does admit, however, that she did like the weather, the bread and the greasy doughnuts.
This is a fearlessly honest book focussing on the many things she didn't like. In which other book can one find mention of the unique- and to a westerner, insane- positioning of Moroccan traffic lights?
Unlike other authors who dutifully trot out details of ancient history, Ms. Theriault only dips into the past in the last 20 pages to help underline her negative response to Moroccans. (There is no report of any "social" contact with them.)
She manages to dilute her aversion to this foreign culture somewhat with the buffoonery of her literary style/persona (her real self?), and her rant works to a certain extent due to her powers of observation, but her distaste for their way of life keeps her from entering in any meaningful way into Moroccan reality. She does admit, however, that she did like the weather, the bread and the greasy doughnuts.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jennifer S
Format:Paperback
I started this book unsure of what to expect but the title intrigued me, and I love reading about new places. I was immediately drawn into this book. The author is very talented and manages to create a novel with an interesting story as well as describe Morocco in many different ways. I love her imagery and her detailed descriptions of places, feelings and events.
The story focuses on the journey of a young woman who decides to leave her comfortable life and travel to Morocco. She wants to experience new things and is lured by the need for adventure and excitement. She seems to get more than she bargains for and the reader will see how she adapts to such a widely different place and culture. You will enjoy joining Carolyn on her journey and you will also finish the novel with a deeper understanding of life in Morocco both good and bad.
The story focuses on the journey of a young woman who decides to leave her comfortable life and travel to Morocco. She wants to experience new things and is lured by the need for adventure and excitement. She seems to get more than she bargains for and the reader will see how she adapts to such a widely different place and culture. You will enjoy joining Carolyn on her journey and you will also finish the novel with a deeper understanding of life in Morocco both good and bad.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky & Fun Reading !!!
I very much enjoyed the interesting and somehow comforting repetition of the writing. It was almost like poetry or a song with all the repeating verses. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Collins
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointment and Xenophobia
This was one of the few books that I have ever been so disgusted with that I put it down and will never finish it. Read more
Published on February 11, 2010 by Mary A. Harsh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eat, Pray, Love in Morocco! Next on Oprah's list!
The name `Stealing Fatima's Hand', as well as the cover, caught my eye. And if you don't know who Fatima is, or how her hand gets stolen, you'll learn - and you'll learn oh so... Read more
Published on January 9, 2010 by S. Freeman
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great travel memoir.
Have you ever thought about starting over in a new place? What would it be like to leave all your troubles behind you and begin again? Read more
Published on January 8, 2010 by Lonna H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lighthearted and engaging
Carolyn Theriault's Stealing Fatima's Hand is a first-person travel diary of a woman who makes her way to Morocco. Read more
Published on December 28, 2009 by E. Chan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Honest and interesting
I did not really know what to expect when I started reading this one. I thought the brief description of the book on Amazon made the book sound a little stuffy and full of itself. Read more
Published on December 28, 2009 by Tina
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