Reviews

In Morocco by Edith Wharton

chloehamburn's review against another edition

1.0

This was not my style of travelogue at all. Instead of providing emotional, cultural, spiritual, personal insight into both the author and her destination, Edith Wharton's In Morocco read instead like an almanac and fact-finding mission for the elites of early 20th century America and Western Europe. For one of American literature's most beloved authors, I expected a little more in this writing besides the recounting of tame (read: boring) travel stories, pro-colonialist attitudes, and discomfiting exoticism toward the "barbaric," "savage," "indigenous" population of Morocco. This is my first book by Edith Wharton, and while I still plan on reading her classic novels, I do not think her literary talents are to be found in travel writing.

Man, I have hit a string of books lately that have not sit well with me. :(

ladililn's review against another edition

2.0

maybe more like 1.5 stars. often beautiful writing, but my god! the bigotry! I feel like I need to read some Said just to get the taste out of my mouth. interesting as a historical cultural artifact, but not really enjoyable, and likely not very useful as a travel guide, even back when it was published.

balancinghistorybooks's review against another edition

3.0

I chose Edith Wharton's In Morocco as part of my Around the World in 80 Books challenge. I am planning to visit Morocco later this year, so was particularly excited to read Wharton's travelogue. In 1917, she travelled around much of the country, reporting her findings of both setting and culture in this relatively short book of essays. Her descriptions are lovely, and the sense of place is certainly the strength within In Morocco. It is very of its time, as one might expect; there is little which is politically correct with regard to her descriptions of the Moroccan people. Good historical context has been woven in, but this occasionally overshadows Wharton's own experiences, and it starts to read like a history book which verges on the dry. In Morocco also gets bogged down in places with excessive and unnecessary quotes, which do not add a great deal to the whole, and could surely have been consolidated. The book does not always feel quite consistent, and whilst it is nicely written, it was not as interesting as I was expecting it to be. It did tend to feel a little repetitive after a while.