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macloo's review
3.0
I was fascinated by the first several chapters of this travelogue, in spite of a number of statements and descriptions that reflect Wharton's assumptions that Africans, Arabs, Berbers, etc., are inferior to Europeans and their descendants. In the early chapters she traces her own journey through the country in 1918. I had recently visited most of the same places, so her descriptions really interested me. After her traveler's account, she provides a short version of the history of Morocco, which is not bad except for a few more awful Euro-racist observations about how lovely it is that the French have invaded Morocco and are building things and restoring crumbling madrassas and other landmarks. Wharton's accounts of her visits inside two different "harems" may also suffer from her white-superiority complex, but they provide a glimpse into a way of life that has seldom been described by female writers.
elainejseghni's review against another edition
3.0
I have been interested in this part of the world for some time...I have always been something of a romantic, devouring the works of Paul Bowles ,long time resident of Morocco.. and following the adventures of intrepid female travellers; Gertrude Bell, Isabelle Eberhardt, Freya Stark. so I was thoroughly prepared to love this book.
In fact it was , to use a sporting cliche,a game of two halves for me. The lush descriptions of the sights and sounds of Morocco were enticing, the historical detail absorbing, and in this respect I was not disappointed.
However I was unable to completely enjoy this book because of my modern -day sensibilities jarring with the terminology and attitudes of the period in which this was written. I felt a little squeamish at the description of people as 'blacks', for example, and also at the idea that the 'natives' were almost like small children to be patted on the head by their colonial masters. I do understand the context in which the writer lived and worked, and so don't blame her for it, but it just took the edge off my enjoyment of the book, which is why I rated it only 3 stars..
In fact it was , to use a sporting cliche,a game of two halves for me. The lush descriptions of the sights and sounds of Morocco were enticing, the historical detail absorbing, and in this respect I was not disappointed.
However I was unable to completely enjoy this book because of my modern -day sensibilities jarring with the terminology and attitudes of the period in which this was written. I felt a little squeamish at the description of people as 'blacks', for example, and also at the idea that the 'natives' were almost like small children to be patted on the head by their colonial masters. I do understand the context in which the writer lived and worked, and so don't blame her for it, but it just took the edge off my enjoyment of the book, which is why I rated it only 3 stars..
junes64's review against another edition
3.0
I have been interested in this part of the world for some time...I have always been something of a romantic, devouring the works of Paul Bowles ,long time resident of Morocco.. and following the adventures of intrepid female travellers; Gertrude Bell, Isabelle Eberhardt, Freya Stark. so I was thoroughly prepared to love this book.
In fact it was , to use a sporting cliche,a game of two halves for me. The lush descriptions of the sights and sounds of Morocco were enticing, the historical detail absorbing, and in this respect I was not disappointed.
However I was unable to completely enjoy this book because of my modern -day sensibilities jarring with the terminology and attitudes of the period in which this was written. I felt a little squeamish at the description of people as 'blacks', for example, and also at the idea that the 'natives' were almost like small children to be patted on the head by their colonial masters. I do understand the context in which the writer lived and worked, and so don't blame her for it, but it just took the edge off my enjoyment of the book, which is why I rated it only 3 stars..
In fact it was , to use a sporting cliche,a game of two halves for me. The lush descriptions of the sights and sounds of Morocco were enticing, the historical detail absorbing, and in this respect I was not disappointed.
However I was unable to completely enjoy this book because of my modern -day sensibilities jarring with the terminology and attitudes of the period in which this was written. I felt a little squeamish at the description of people as 'blacks', for example, and also at the idea that the 'natives' were almost like small children to be patted on the head by their colonial masters. I do understand the context in which the writer lived and worked, and so don't blame her for it, but it just took the edge off my enjoyment of the book, which is why I rated it only 3 stars..
jladuke's review against another edition
3.0
This book was dryreading from a writer who I normally love. I know this book is a document of her travels rather than a fictional work, but I still expected a more interesting read.
I gave it three stars, because it did still present a verbal snapshot of what the country of Morocco was like in the early 1900s along with a good historical background on the country.
I was particularly intrigued (and saddened) to read how restricted the women were.
I gave it three stars, because it did still present a verbal snapshot of what the country of Morocco was like in the early 1900s along with a good historical background on the country.
I was particularly intrigued (and saddened) to read how restricted the women were.
zowho's review against another edition
1.0
i’ve never wanted for a book to end quite as much as i wanted this book to end.
tifish's review against another edition
2.5
it was interesting, atmospheric and illuminating but very tedious... my vocabulary was barely enough to read this, every chapter presented me with like 20 new words and annotating their meaning was exhausting
csgranquist's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
2.0
Written in 1919 by a white woman visiting a colonial holding. There is some very interesting observation about her visit and comparative history, but you have to wade through a lot of bigotry/assumptive language to get there. Maybe ultimately more interesting for illustrating the western POV of the time, however unintentional. TLDR: doesn’t age well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation