In Morocco by Edith Wharton

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In Morocco by Edith Wharton

(3 User reviews) 576

By Beatrice Turner Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Design

Authors: Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937 Published By : Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937

Book Language: English

Okay, so you know Edith Wharton from her novels about New York society, right? Now picture her in 1917, traveling by military convoy through war-torn Morocco. That’s the wild setup for this book. It’s not a novel—it’s her real travel journal from a trip most Westerners couldn’t even dream of at the time. She’s not just a tourist; she’s a guest of the French Resident-General, getting access to palaces, harems, and ancient cities closed to outsiders. The real conflict here isn’t in a plot, but in the clash she observes. She’s witnessing a traditional, intricate Islamic society just as French colonial rule is changing everything. The mystery is this: What is the real Morocco behind the veils and fortress walls? And what happens to a centuries-old culture when a modern world comes knocking? Wharton tries to find out, with all the curiosity and occasional bias of her time. It’s a fascinating, complicated snapshot.

File: In Morocco by Edith Wharton

Forget everything you think you know about Edith Wharton. In Morocco isn't about drawing rooms and social climbers in New York. It's her raw, immediate account of a journey through Morocco in 1917, smack in the middle of World War I. She travels under French military protection, moving from the European-influenced coast into the heart of the country.

The Story

There's no traditional plot. Instead, Wharton takes us along as her wide-eyed companion. We see the bustling port of Rabat, the sacred city of Moulay Idriss, and the labyrinthine markets of Fez and Marrakech. She describes everything with a novelist's eye: the stunning tilework of a mosque, the intense quiet of a carpet shop, the chaotic energy of a public square. A big part of her story involves being one of the first Western women granted access to private spaces—like the Sultan's harem in Rabat. She records conversations, legends, and her own reactions, painting a picture of a society that feels both majestic and completely foreign to her.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a time capsule. You're seeing Morocco through the eyes of a brilliant but very specific observer. Wharton is genuinely captivated by the art, architecture, and dignity she finds. She writes beautifully about light falling on a courtyard or the craftsmanship of a leatherworker. But you also have to read it knowing it's 1917. Her views on colonialism and the people she meets are a product of her era—sometimes admiring, sometimes shockingly condescending. That tension is what makes it so compelling. It's not a clean, modern travel guide. It's a messy, personal, and incredibly vivid record of a collision between two worlds.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love history, travel writing, or seeing a famous author in a completely new light. If you enjoy books that transport you to another time and place, and you don't mind wrestling with the complicated perspectives of the past, this is a gem. It's short, packed with striking images, and offers a privileged peek into a Morocco that has long since vanished. Just be ready to read it with a critical mind alongside your sense of wonder.