A HOUSE IN FEZ BY SUZANNA CLARKE

I have been wanting to read this book since reading a review, and finally was able to obtain from my local library.
After having read quite a few books on people buying houses in France and Italy, this story struck me as "oh good, someone is bucking the trend" and challenging themselves.
The author and her partner, Sandy McCutcheon, fell in love with Morocco whilst on a trip, and decided to go back, buy a house in the old sectin of Fez, the Medina and restore back to some of its former glory.
As usual, they have lots of frustrating episodes with tradesmen, but that seems to be the norm. in whatever country you mention.
Wonderful photos featured throughout the book, and the "massreiya" must look fantastic by now.
I also enjoyed the historical facts that featured throughout the story, as I admit to not being very knowledgeable about that part of the world - such as:
Fez was once the largest city on the planet. Founded in 789, it became the centre of Moroccan scientific and religious learning, a status due to the altruism of a remarkable woman named, Fatima al_Fihria.
She was one of a group of refugees who feld religious persecution in Kairouan, Tunisia, in the 9th century. Fatima was from a wealthy merchant family and used her inheritance to start a place of learning. Karaouiyine University was completed in 859, and is the oldest educational institution in the world.
Classes in religion are still held in the complex, which also contains a mosque and a library.
Being a woman, she couldn't actually attend the university herself, but plenty of men did - Muslims and Christians from all over North africa, the Middle East and Europe.
In fact, Karaouiyine had a major impact on mediaeval Europe. In the 10th century, Arabic numerals, including the concept of zero, were taken back to France by a student, who went on to become Pope Sylvester II. He used his newfound understanding to invent a more efficient abacus, the basis of modern computing.
Karaouiyine University also rejuvenated and spread the Indian concept of the decimal poiint, for which accountants are no doubt eternally grateful.

Thanks to the author for a great book.

There is also a blog that you can read through - fezmorocco.blogspot.com