A House in Fez: Building a Life in the Ancient Heart of Morocco

The Medina -- the Old City -- of Fez is the best-preserved medieval walled city in the world. Inside this vibrant Moroccan community internet cafes and mobile phones coexist with a maze of donkey-trod alleyways thousand-year-old sewer systems and Arab-style houses gorgeous with intricate if often shabby mosaic work. While vacationing in Morocco Suzanna Clarke and her husband Sandy are inspired to buy a dilapidated centuries-old riad in Fez with the aim of restoring it to its original splendor using only traditional craftsmen and handmade materials. So begins a remarkable adventure that is bewildering at times hilarious and ultimately immensely rewarding. A House in Fez chronicles their meticulous restoration but it is also a journey into Moroccan customs and lore and a window into the lives of its people as friendships blossom. When the riad is finally returned to its former glory Suzanna finds she has not just restored an old house but also her soul.

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Pocket Books (November 11 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416578935

ISBN-13: 978-1416578932

Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces