Mischief in Fez
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Mischief in Fez Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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" This is a tale of djinns, - of their mischief and their magic in the Moroccan city of Fez." The 14th century city of Fez entertains and informs young listeners through action set in the palace, mosque, and market place in a tale of adventure and delicious danger to the household of Mohammed Ali and his son Mousa.

First published in 1943, this extraordinary story blends the exotic traditions of a Moroccan household with ancient legends of spirits, both good and bad. Who is the mysterious bride with her pet gazelle? When the fountain stops, the orange tree is bare, and scorpions appear, the household in Fez is unsettled. More mischief is on its way....

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  1. Listening Length
    3 hours and 4 minutes
  2. Author
    Eleanor Hoffmann
  3. Narrator
    Elizabeth Cook
  4. Audible release date
    September 4, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Heirs of Eleanor Hoffmann
  7. ASIN
    B014X54TPO
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 3 hours and 4 minutes
Author Eleanor Hoffmann
Narrator Elizabeth Cook
Audible.com Release Date September 04, 2015
Publisher Heirs of Eleanor Hoffmann
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B014X54TPO
Best Sellers Rank #429,612 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2,428 in Action & Adventure Fantasy for Children
#38,310 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books
#55,012 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
48 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

OneZero
5.0 out of 5 stars As good as I remembered
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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I have been searching for this for decades, based on half-remembered childhood memories. It was in a collection of short stories that came with the encyclopedias my parents bought back in the 70's. I must have read it 2 dozen times between 8 and 16.
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JordanJasper
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the "Best-Kept Secret" Children's Classics of All Time
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2014
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Like many readers and reviewers, I was first introduced to Eleanor Hoffmann's marvelous and exquisitely magical 'Mischief in Fez' via a collection of volumes that were supplementary to my father's stodgy old Colliers Encyclopedia set. The multi-colored adjunct collection was meant for children and appropriately titled "The Young Folks' Shelf of Books." Each volume gathered a panorama of international children's fairy tales, poems, myths, fables, short stories, folklore and other various works --famous and not-so-famous-- and grouped the material in thematic anthologies. 'Mischief in Fez' was published in the "green volume," which was called 'Magic in the Air.' I'll never forget the endless hours of reading pleasure occasioned by the presence of these excellent books in our home, and it is a singular stroke of good fortune that the editors selected 'Mischief in Fez' for inclusion. Indeed, this gorgeous little tale might otherwise have been forgotten altogether, having been published in the early 1940s and out-of-print by the late 1960s, when Colliers produced their children's compendium.

Frankly, the Colliers children's books (like the encyclopedias) were already quite old and dusty by the time my interest was ensnared in the early 1980s, but 'Mischief in Fez' was far and away my favorite of all the featured stories. I am not exaggerrating when I state that no other children's tale ever captured my imagination quite the way this one did, with its winsomely exotic Morroccan setting, mesmerizing characters, and truly breathtaking little plot. You just got lost and transported ... and you loved every minute of it! Of course, the story was all the more compelling because its hero, Mousa, is a little boy caught-up in the troubles that ensue when his wealthy household in the ancient city of Fez is enchanted by the power of meddling djinns. Mousa is a wonderful character -- too old to be pampered by his father's servants and yet still too young to be taken seriously by anyone, which makes him a magnetic narrative presence for any child who delves into his world. In order to rescue his beloved father and all the other harried adults from calamity, Mousa is obliged to take matters into his own hands and fight magic with magic, forging a risky alliance with the kindly djinns whose business it is to undo the mischief of their malevolent peers.

This highly original and fast-paced story is loaded with things that children will absolutely love: shape-shifting creatures both frightening and companionable; secret spells; mystical locales; and a number of plot twists that will keep the attentive young reader breathless with interest and anticipation. Honestly, adults will get a kick out of it, too. I know I still do. Hoffmann's storytelling skills were nothing short of brilliant within this framework; her voice is endearingly classic and traditional, while her style is never anything less than accessible. She weaves a tale as if you were perched at her knee, the wondrous tapestry of Mousa's adventure with Baha the fennec unfolding before your very eyes. As a sumptuous bonus, 'Mischief in Fez' is enhanced with several lavish illustrations by the great Fritz Eichenberg, whose dark but whimsical drawings will captivate little minds and inspire a real sense of wonder.

Obviously, I cannot recommend this work highly enough. Hoffman's book is easily on par with contemporary classics like Neil Gaiman's enchanting 'Coraline,' which shares a number of overarching themes and motifs with 'Fez.' It is a happy thing to know that the story has survived the test of time almost solely due to its worthy inclusion in the classic Colliers volumes, longstanding word-of-mouth, and the fond memories of those for whom 'Mischief in Fez' was a simply unforgettable tale that brings us back to the comfort and joy of magical childhood. (You ALL know who you are!) Eleanor Hoffmann will always and forever be a hallowed name in my library and in my home. I am grateful to her for writing such a beguiling little masterpiece so long ago and equally delighted that her heirs (who have published this edition) have kept the light of this radiant story alive for future generations. Buy this for your kids to read and, better yet, join in the fun by reading it to them: they'll be awestruck.

'Mischief in Fez' is one of the "Best Kept-Secret" children's classics of all time ... a rare gem that will be passed along with enduring pride in your family for generations to come.
14 people found this helpful
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B. DuVall
5.0 out of 5 stars A Should Be Classic
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
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What’s one of the best books you’ve almost certainly never heard of, let alone read? This one. Notice I didn’t say children’s book. Book PERIOD. This book has a five-star rating for a reason. How this isn’t in the same pantheon as Narnia, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, A Wrinkle in Time, etc. I cannot understand. Maybe because it’s a female author from the 1940s writing fantasy, maybe because the setting is too exotic.

I’ve lauded this incomparable book before, and it’s long been out of stock on Amazon because her family republished it (I think) in a small reissue a few years ago. I just rechecked, and it’s back!!! For under $6.00 (also available on Audible) this is your unmissable opportunity to travel back in time to the mystical medieval Moroccan city of Fez when magic and djinns ruled the land. Our hero Mousa finds himself caught up in the timeless battle of good and evil when his father remarries and his new stepmother and entourage are not all they appear to be. Danger and magic lurk around every corner, and it’s up to Mousa and his new “pet” fennec fox to save his family from supernatural forces.
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Radnor
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic Realism At Its Best
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2013
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This is a delightful book--a delicately wrought fantasy, the essence of magic realism. It is the tale of a Moroccan boy led on mystical adventures by a fennec -- a desert fox. I read Fez an untold number of times in the 4th grade; remembered it fondly over the decades; luckily found a library copy a few years ago and read it with pleasure once again. I can safely state that (in my case at least) Ms. Hoffmann's book is for readers of all ages -- from 10 years to senior citizens. I should also state that lodged in my memory through the years, Fez informed my own writing. I thank Ms. Hoffmann for that as well. It was a pleasant mystery to me how an early-20th Century American woman could have such knowledge of Moroccan culture. Fortunately her heirs have now republished this little masterpiece. In so-doing they provide information I always suspected: The author was a uniquely adventurous spirit. She traveled alone in North Africa in the 1920s supporting herself by purchasing tribal rugs and "was a pioneer doing business as a single woman in a traditional Islamic culture." The book's illustrations by Fritz Eichenberg, are delicate line drawings in perfect harmony with the text. Eichenberg was an adventurous spirit in his own right. A left wing graphic artist opposed to the Nazis, he fled Hitler's Germany and made his way to New York. There he taught at The New School -- and provided the fine drawings for Fez. I have just ordered the new paperback and look forward to sharing it with children and grandchildren and friends. Hmmm... maybe I need a few copies.
4 people found this helpful
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DJ of Hamiltonia
5.0 out of 5 stars A childhood favorite found!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
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When I was a child, my parents bought a set of Colliers encyclopedias. It also came with a set of children's fiction books. I was an avid reader and tore through them in no time. This story, Mischief in Fez, was one of my favorites and the only one I have repeatedly looked for throughout the years. I was so glad to see it had been republished and to learn more about the amazing author. I totally recommend this to parents everywhere.

But, the collection I read it in said that there were more tales of Mousa and Fennec in the brief description that was at the end of the story. I do not know if that is true or if the other book survives but I hope so.
2 people found this helpful
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Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2021
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Nice to read this book once again. A fun magical book that is a perfect length for younger readers and older readers as well.
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Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2021
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This delightful story is easy to read and fast paced. It feels like a fairy tale and has many interesting descriptions. I particularly liked the fennec fox. Appropriate for children.
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vickram
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
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Great read.....so good it felt too short a read.......It brought back all the memories I had as a child when I first read it......
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Guillermo Spreckels
5.0 out of 5 stars Märchen aus Tausend und einer Nacht
Reviewed in Germany on June 22, 2015
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Eine wunderschöne, märchenhafte Geschichte, die die alte Welt Marokkos aufleben lässt. Lange Zeit nur in einem vergriffenen Sammelband erhältlich, nun in einer schönen Ausgabe mit allen originalen Illustrationen. Jedem Freund des alten Orients, der Geschichten aus 1001 Nacht und die Erzählungen von Elsa Sophia von Kamphoevener liebt, wärmstens zu empfehlen.
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