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Tahir Shah

The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca

"The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca" by Tahir Shah is a captivating memoir that takes readers on a journey through the author's experiences of renovating and living in a crumbling mansion in Morocco with his family. The book is a delightful blend of travelogue, history, and personal reflection, offering a unique insight into the culture, customs, and people of this North African country. Shah, a British writer of Afghan descent, moves his family to Casablanca with the dream of restoring the dilapidated mansion, Dar Khalifa, to its former glory. However, they quickly discover that the house is not only physically but also spiritually neglected, haunted by the jinn, supernatural beings from Islamic mythology. The author's encounters with these spirits and his attempts to appease them add a magical realism element to the narrative, making the story even more enchanting. Throughout the book, Shah interweaves historical anecdotes and cultural insights, providing a rich context to the events unfolding in his life. From the intricacies of Moroccan craftsmanship to the complexities of Islamic customs, the author leaves no stone unturned in his quest to understand and embrace his new home. What makes "The Caliph's House" stand out is Shah's ability to balance the exotic and the familiar. He portrays the otherness of Morocco without othering it, making the reader feel at home in this foreign land. His candid portrayal of the challenges and rewards of living in a different culture, along with his humorous anecdotes, makes the book a compelling read. In conclusion, "The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca" is a captivating memoir that offers a unique blend of personal narrative, cultural insight, and historical context. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Morocco, Islamic culture, or the human experience of living in a foreign land...