Perfect Must-Reads in Morocco – My Favorite 3 Novels to Bring on Your Trip
To truly prepare for a journey to Morocco, travelers often look for stories that help them see beyond the surface of an unfamiliar culture. The following three books provide that depth, offering a glimpse into the country’s history and social fabric before you even arrive. These are my favorite three novels that I am honored to recommend to travelers: The Caliph’s House (set in Casablanca), Assembly of the Dead (set in Marrakesh), and In the Country of Others (set in and around Meknes). These three novels serve as essential companions that peel back the layers of this complex nation.
The Assembly of the Dead by Saeida Rouass
For those traveling to Marrakech, Saeida Rouass offers a gripping historical mystery set in 1906 of the detective tasked with solving a series of murders. Local women in the medina have disappeared – for years. This is based on a true account of a serial killer who was able to operate for decades. Rouass, described as a “marvellous ambassador” for Morocco, uses her deep knowledge of the city to create a “time travel” experience for the reader. Her writing style is so immersive that it makes the reader feel like a bystander to the historical events of the “Red City” at the turn of the 20th century.
The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah
If your journey takes you to Casablanca, Tahir Shah‘s memoir is an essential read that details his family’s relocation from London to a sprawling, long-abandoned mansion called Dar Khalifa. Shah shares an incredible personal experience as he navigates the “multi-faceted and contradictory” nature of Morocco while restoring a home rumored to be haunted by jinns (spirits). The book is a gloriously vivid and funny account that introduces a “larger-than-life” cast of local characters, from traditional artisans to bureaucratic officials. Through these interactions, Shah provides a compelling and affectionate portrait of modern Moroccan society and the spiritual beliefs that govern daily life. As a foreigner living in Morocco and now married to a Moroccan man, I can attest to the accuracy of his experience.
In the Country of Others by Leïla Slimani
Set in and around Meknes, this novel by the celebrated French-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani is a powerful exploration of identity and the struggle for independence. Drawing on her own family history, Slimani tells the story of Mathilde, a Frenchwoman who marries a Moroccan soldier in 1944 and moves to a farm in the stony countryside. The writing is layered and exploratory, capturing the “violence of desires and rages” as the characters navigate the fracture lines between different cultures and social classes. It is a compelling look at the historical tensions of the era, seen through the eyes of a family that belongs to neither the European nor the Moroccan elite.
Morocco is a country that can only be enhanced by bringing a good book along with you. The landscape is filled with shaded tea houses that invite the traveler to relax, enjoy the sun, and watch the world go by with a fantastic story in hand. If you are a history buff, the obvious choice is In the Country of Others; if you love crime novels and are off to Marrakesh, you must pick up Assembly of the Dead; and if you are heading to Casablanca, be sure to take a copy of The Caliph’s House. Above all, these books provide an accurate portrait of the culture and society of Morocco, offering truthful depictions of this beautifully complicated place.
