The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca

The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca

In the tradition of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, acclaimed English travel writer Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of making an exotic dream come true. By turns hilarious and harrowing, here is the story of his familyâ€™s move from the gray skies of London to the sun-drenched city of Casablanca, where Islamic tradition and African folklore convergeâ€“and nothing is as easy as it seemsâ€¦.

Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Tahir Shah dreamed of making a home in that astonishing country. At age thirty-six he got his chance. Investing what money he and his wife, Rachana, had, Tahir packed up his growing family and bought Dar Khalifa, a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea in Casablanca that once belonged to the cityâ€™s caliph, or spiritual leader.

With its lush grounds, cool, secluded courtyards, and relaxed pace, life at Dar Khalifa seems sure to fulfill Tahirâ€™s fantasyâ€“until he discovers that in many ways he is farther from home than he imagined. For in Morocco an empty house is thought to attract jinns, invisible spirits unique to the Islamic world. The ardent belief in their presence greatly hampers sleep and renovation plans, but that is just the beginning. From elaborate exorcism rituals involving sacrificial goats to dealing with gangster neighbors intent on stealing their property, the Shahs must cope with a new culture and all that comes with it.

Endlessly enthralling, The Caliphâ€™s House charts a year in the life of one family who takes a tremendous gamble. As we follow Tahir on his travels throughout the kingdom, from Tangier to Marrakech to the Sahara, we discover a world of fierce contrasts that any true adventurer would be thrilled to call home.
Country USA
Brand Bantam
Manufacturer Bantam
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber 9780553383102
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 2006-12-26
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780553383102

Country	USA
Brand	Bantam
Manufacturer	Bantam
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	9780553383102
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	2006-12-26
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780553383102

The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca

You might also like...