Lead Review

• Book: The Moroccan Daughter
• Location: Fez
• Author: Deborah Rodriguez

Review Author: Tina Hartas

You may have come across the author’s delightful novel The Little Coffee Shop in Kabul which garnered great reviews. The writing in The Moroccan Daughter feels thus very familiar, a talented author who can pen a good romance storyline and create a wonderfully evocative backdrop. This time she turns her hand to Morocco.

Charlie and her grandmother Bea are accompanying Amina to Fez – the three women are friends in California (in fact Charlie is Amina’s hairdresser) – and soon they arrive to attend Amina’s sister’s wedding. Life in Carrmel-by-the Sea is much more easy going than life in a traditional Moroccan family, where family is strong, the paterfamilias in charge and tradition and old values hold sway over individuals and communities. The big secret that Amina somehow has to share with her father, is that she is married to Max back in California.

This story has wheels within wheels. Amina’s dad wants to introduce her to a man, who might like to pursue a marriage match. Eek. And then Max himself arrives not quite understanding how different the cultures all are. Goodness, there are secrets galore in this household, including even the housekeeper.

Charlie, too, has some personal issues to resolve whilst Grandma Bea is busy exploring and doing what grandmas do best. She has restricted sight, which the author uses as a device to flesh out the powerful sounds and smells of the city, much more potent to someone who has to rely on other senses to get a feel for the city, its hamams, souks and markets. And of course the utterly wonderful Blue Gate.

A wonderful introduction to Morocco, and if you have already been, then this is a book set in Morocco, with colourful experiences that will transport you back.

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