Journey Into Barbary Travels Across Morocco cover

Journey Into Barbary Travels Across Morocco

by Wyndham 1882-1957 Lewis

CLASSIC TRAVEL WRITING. In the spring and summer of 1931, Wyndham Lewis travelled to Morocco. Escaping the furore that surrounded the publication of his controversial book on Hitler, Lewis also intended to explore the culture of the Berbers of Morocco. Lewis' text predates the ascent of Amazigh national consciousness in the late 20th century and his repeated play on the words Berber, Barbary, and barbarism reveals an important element of his attitude toward the Berber people. While avoiding labelling them as primitive, he associates them with strong practices of barbarian rule that at once contrast the enervation of European modernity and suggest a path by which Europe might revive itself. While his tone may be uncomfortable at times, he actually rejects and discredits all the familiar stereotypes of Oriental exoticism - unusual for a book of this period.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?