Anchor Books Miramar

Books in good order and came on time

Mahfouz always teaches me something. I began reading his works because I wanted to find out more about life in Egypt during the 20th century under Islamic regimes. In this point in history I think the West needs to do more of this sort of thing. I remember King Farouk, Nasser, and the Egyptian history since then so Mahfouz was pretty immediate--the things Mahfouz wrote about. Not only are his books enlightening, Mahfouz himself was an interesting and erudite man, member of the Wafd party, victim of a violent attack by opposition factions. He lived in a turbulent historical period. (Egypt still is, heartbreakingly, trying to find its way.) His characters are surprising, fully drawn, and live wonderfully amazing lives--just the common folk, getting by from day to day. The contemporary history he exposes, the social difficulties of his characters, bring their world to full view. I was always surprised by what was happening and how they reacted.Another good read along these lines is anything by Orhan Pamuk--Turkish author.

Very good book, though not perfect. I don't know whether that was due to the Egyptian author or the English translator. In any case most enjoyable. I will read more by this author.

Mahfouz is a superb writer, he understand the mood of the time and has a natural feel for the dpeth of the characters. a great read.

It was a good story, with 5 characters telling their side of the story. Some one died, so some "violence" but by today's standards, not really, and some sexual harassment but no explicit sexual content