House in Fez: Building a Life in the Ancient Heart of Morocco

Stunning exploration of Moroccan culture

What makes Suzanna Clarke's book so good is that it is very different from the rather mundane "my year in Tuscany" genre. Ms Clarke has managed to get beneath the surface of the culture and explore the daily life of ordinary people in Fez.

Her writing is fluid, fluent and compelling. Every step of the way you feel as if you are with her in the dust and mayhem of the renovation, or walking the streets as she explores the Medina of Fez.

Ms Clarke's encounters with local women, craftspeople and shopkeepers are engaging and at times very funny. A charming aspect of her writing is the honesty with which she reveals her own stumbling attempts to come to grips with a foreign culture. The window into an Islamic society is superb.

As if the story was not remarkable, Suzanna Clarke's photographs are stunning. Her biography reports that she is an award winning photographer and if the results in this book are anything to go by, one can see why. They are simply breathtaking.

this is a must have book not only for armchair travellers, but also for those interested in exploring other culture. It is a great read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved this book!

Read this in preparation for a trip to Morocco, but would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre. Lovely description of trials and tribulations of renovations, in a fascinating country. Very interesting to compare to the more well known one -- the name of which is escaping me -- about a renovation in Casablanca, which is written from a male perspective. I preferred the female view of Suzanna Clarke's book.

Excellent!!!

Rewarding and what an adventure. I love books like this. Please Suzanna, Part two; is a must!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.