Short description
Shah's The Caliph's House, describing his first year in Casablanca, was compared to such travel classics as A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun. Now the author takes readers deeper into the heart of this exotic and magical land.
Long description
Tahir Shah's The Caliph's House, describing his first year in Casablanca, was hailed by critics and compared to such travel classics as A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, Now Shah takes us deeper into the heart of this exotic and magical land to uncover mysteries that have been hidden from Western eyes for centuries.... In this entertaining and penetrating book, Tahir sets out on a bold new journey across Morocco that becomes an adventure worthy of the mythical Arabian Nights. As he wends his way through the labyrinthine medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, traverses the Sahara sands, and tastes the hospitality of ordinary Moroccans, Tahir collects a dazzling treasury of traditional stories, gleaned from the heritage of A Thousand and One Nights, The tales, recounted by a vivid cast of characters, reveal fragments of wisdom and an oriental way of thinking that is both enthralling and fresh. A link in the chain of scholars and teachers who have passed these stories down for centuries like a baton in a relay race, Shah reaches layers of culture that most visitors hardly realize exist, and eventually discovers the story living in his own heart. Along the way he describes the colors, characters, and the passion of Morocco, and comes to understand why it is such an enchanting land. From master masons who labor only at night to Sufi wise men who write for soap operas, and Tuareg guides afflicted by reality TV, In Arabian Nights takes us on an unforgettable journey, shining a light on facets of a society that are normally left in darkness. From the Hardcover edition.
Review
Intensely felt.... Teeming with sorcerers, enchanted animals, jinns, and dervishes....Shah's Moroccans and the shards of their tales create a brilliant literary mosaic. -- Booklist
Creates moments of wonderment.... And worthy of note, especially in these times, is its illumination of a part of Arabic culture that is gracious, gentle and wise. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
A spellbinding journey from Casablanca to Fez and Marrakech...unforgettable... Highly recommended for larger armchair travel collections and for collections on the Arab world. -- Library Journal
Simply irresistible...bursts with quirky characters, Moroccan lore, desert and urban landscapes, odd encounters, an incisively curious and adventure-seeking mind, and a lust for and fascination with ancient tales. -- Providence Journal
Mesmerizing ...brings the sights, sounds, and smells of modern Morocco to vibrant life ...an enthralling triumph. -- National Geographic Traveler