The girls deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. For more information, see my disclosureshere. See reviews, Norman Mailers dazzlingly rich, deeply evocative novel of ancient Egypt breathes life into the figures of a lost era: the eighteenth-dynasty Pharaoh Rameses and his wife, Queen Nefertiti; Menenhetet, their creature, lover, and victim; and the gods and mortals that surround them in intimate and telepathic communion. Among the players are a sixties-style anti-establishment professor whose relationship with a younger African American woman becomes a moving target for intolerance; a veiled PhD candidate whose conviction in the principles of her traditional upbringing is shaken by her exposure to American society; an migr whose fervent desire to embrace his American identity is tested when he is faced with the issue of his daughters honour; an Egyptian informant who spouts religious doctrines while hankering after money and power; and a dissident student poet who comes to America to finance his literary aspirations, but whose experience in Chicago turns out to be more than he bargained for.See reviews, Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. It was the horrific female genital mutilation that she suffered aged only six, which first awakened Nawal el Saadawis sense of the violence and injustice which permeated her society. The numerous narrators, among them a Venetian traveler and several native Muslims, tell the story of the rise to power of the ruthless, enigmatic, and puritanical governor of Cairo, Zayni Barakat ibn Musa, whose control of the corrupt city is effected only through a complicated network of spies and informers.See reviews, Note: this is the first in a series of 20 novels about an Egyptologist.Amelia Peabody inherited two things from her father: a considerable fortune and an unbendable will. Fax: (631) 547-6912, Contact Us Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser. Do you know some great books that should be added? Hassan, the eldest son, leaves home and becomes a local goon managing a coffee house. See reviews, First published in 1966, Naguib MahfouzsAdrift on the Nileis an atmospheric novel that dramatizes the rootlessness of Egypts cosmopolitan middle class. Another essential author included in this list is Nawal El Saadawi, an Egyptian author, activist, doctor and psychiatrist; known for her feminist writings on social justice. The monk, Hypa, embarks on a journey both physical and spiritual, encountering, the devil, Azazeel, and the hardship of severe temptation. But his story is not told in isolation: through his experiences and memories Yasser Abdellatif also unfolds the experiences of his Nubian family through the epochal changes the country underwent in the twentieth-century.See reviews, This controversial bestselling novel in the Arab world reveals the political corruption, sexual repression, religious extremism, and modern hopes of Egypt today. $14.49, Original price is Achingly lyrical, resonant and richly woven, and with a spark of defiance, these stories explore areas of tension where women and men are ensnared by cultural and social mores and prescribed notions of love, where the place you are, is not the place you want to be. $15.99. Board Minutes & Agendas A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynastys royal family all with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. Even Ivy Tunstells acting troupes latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a dampener on Alexias enjoyment of her new London lifestyle. For the past three years weve read, I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills. My book for, An essential read for coffee lovers! Yet, unlike most of his fellow citizens, he is prone to sudden dislocations in time. All manner of flawed and fragile humanity reside in the Yacoubian Building, a once-elegant temple of Art Deco splendor now slowly decaying in the smog and bustle of downtown Cairo: a fading aristocrat and self-proclaimed scientist of women; a sultry, voluptuous siren; a devout young student, feeling the irresistible pull toward fundamentalism; a newspaper editor helplessly in love with a policeman; a corrupt and corpulent politician, twisting the Koran to justify his desires.See reviews, Note: this title is centred around an Egyptian character.A journey through Central Asia and beyond,Moon Over Samarqandis the story of one Egyptians quest for the truth. Annual Report, 12 Best Ancient Historical Novels to Read. Her rebellious spirit seeks to free itself from the stifling social codes that dictate a young womans life, just as Egypt struggles to shake off the yoke of imperialist rule.See reviews, Set amidst the turbulence of 1950s Cairo,Beer in the Snooker Club is the story of Ram Bey, an over-educated, under-ambitious young Egyptian struggling to find out where he fits in. Have you been to Egypt? Without the second, the mummys curse would have made corpses of them all. Qaids tale of the fiasco steeped in irony and black humour parodies outrageous corruption and ludicrous bureaucracy. Generation after generation, however, Ashurs descendants grow further from his legendary example. This list of, A love story that spans decades, by Chilean writer Isabel Allende one. Yet Janes plans to remain cool and indifferent become ancient history in the company of Mr. Redvers, a roguish banker she cant quite figure out.See reviews, The lives of two women living centuries apart are connected by an enigmatic painting in this mesmerising debut based on historical events. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.See reviews, Well-heeled travelers from around the world flock to the Mena House Hotel an exotic gem in the heart of Cairo where cocktails flow, adventure dispels the aftershocks of World War I, and deadly dangers wait in the shadows. Bringing together 58 fictional monologues from Cairo cabbies, recreated from actual experiences while traversing the city, this novel takes readers on a roller coaster of emotions as bumpy and noisy as the citys potholed and chaotic streets. But when the Emersons start digging for answers in an ancient tomb, events take a darker and deadlier turn and there may be no surviving the very modern terrors their efforts reveal.See reviews, The 1895-96 season promises to be an exceptional one for Amelia Peabody, her dashing Egyptologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, and their precocious (some might say rambunctious) eight-year-old son, Ramses. There, Alku, the lifelong Nubian retainer of Egypts corrupt and dissolute king, lords it over the staff, a squabbling but tight-knit group, who live in perpetual fear, as they are thrashed for their mistakes, their wages dependent on Alkus whims. But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she once studied for, but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. Laylas older brother Mahmud returns, wounded in the clashes, and the events of that fateful day mark a turning point in her life, an awakening to the world around her. And then theres Abbas, the narrators best friend who surfaces at critical moments to drive our hero into uncontrollably multiplying difficulties. And Ahmads youngest son, in an unforgettable portrayal of unrequited love, ardently courts the sophisticated daughter of a rich Europeanised family.See reviews, Sugar Street is the third and concluding volume of the celebrated Cairo Trilogy, which brings the story of Al-Sayid Ahmad and his family up to the middle of the twentieth century. More than a decade later, the familys seemingly stable life is suddenly upended when a devastating turn of events leaves Hosaam and Natalie dead and turns the Al-Menshawys into outcasts in their own town.See reviews, Egypt, 1912. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. Assuring readers that they are about to find out, the narrator takes us on a journey through the insanity of present-day Cairo in and out of minibuses, malls, and crash pads, navigating the citys pinball machine of social life with tolerable efficiency. One studies how the nouveaux riches of the Open Door Policy make their money, while others try their own hand at swindle. See reviews, February 1946: Cairo is engulfed by demonstrations against the British. See reviews, Set against the backdrop of a failed political uprising,The Queueis a chilling debut that evokes Orwellian dystopia, Kafkaesque surrealism, and a very real vision of life after the Arab Spring. Robert Harris lures readers back in time to the compelling life of Roman Senator Marcus Cicero. She is five years old when her French mother takes her to visit her Egyptian father, a political activist with a passing resemblance to President Nasser, in prison. At times able to resist, while at others bending to the strengths of his desire, Hypa learns that physical pleasure and spiritual enlightenment can be two sides of the same coin.See reviews, Essam Youssef was born in Cairo in 1965 and is a graduate of the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Cairo University. When a young man and a girl break out from this bubble of affluence in order to see for themselves the lives of their impoverished fellow Egyptians they are confronted by a world that they had not imagined possible.See reviews, Set in the ancient Upper Egyptian village of Karnak against the backdrop of the British campaigns in Sudan, the Second World War, and the war in Palestine, The Collar and the Bracelet is the stunning saga of the Bishari family a family ripped apart by the violence of history, the dark conduits of human desire, and the rigid social conventions of village life. Their appearance in a modern context invites the reader to see them as human beings relevant to the present day, not as remote sacred figures to the consternation of some traditionalists. Told as a fictional autobiography, Claudius's story begins in a dysfunctional family where he is seen as nothing more than an idiot because of his physical infirmities. But when he is entrusted with a secret that threatens to wreak havoc across the country, he is drawn into a web of political intrigue at the very heart of government. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. Fighting a terrible stutter and constant scorn from those around him, he quietly documents the different reigns of Roman emperors. When, one day, Abd el-Aziz stands up for himself, he is beaten. But Tanus will have to defy the same gods to attain the reward they have forbidden him, an object more prized than battles glory: possession of the Lady Lostris, a rare beauty with skin the colour of oiled ceder destined for the adoration of a nation, and the love of one extraordinary man.See reviews, Set amidst the turmoil of contemporary Middle Eastern politics, this vivid and highly-acclaimed novel by an Egyptian journalist is an intimate look into the lives of Arab women today. Labor-shy Zaghloul works on and off at one of the villages cafes, but prefers to spend his time listening in on conversations about subjects such as politics, which he would have liked to know more about, if only he had been an educated man.See reviews, Note: this novel is set in the United States, but centres around Egyptian characters.Samir and Nagla Al-Menshawy appear to have attained the American dream. This list of books set in Egypt also includes many Egyptian nominees and winners of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, the most prestigious literary prize in the Arab world. Described as an urban sociology, an ethnography, a classic of oral history, and even a work of poetry in motion, these narratives tell tales of the struggle for survival and dignity among greater Cairos 80,000 cab drivers. While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights some of the most compelling books in this fascinating subgenre filled with scandals, violence, secret love affairs, and everything in between. Now, in 1516, the Mamluk reign is coming to an end with the advance of the invading Ottomans. The familys trials mirror those of their turbulent country during the years spanning the two world wars, as change comes to a society that has resisted it for centuries.See reviews, The sensual and provocative second volume in the Cairo Trilogy,Palace of Desirefollows the Al Jawad family into the awakening world of the 1920s and the sometimes violent clash between Islamic ideals, personal dreams and modern realities. Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. Senior Agent Hamed al-Nasr shows his new partner Agent Onsi the ropes of investigation when they are called to subdue a dangerous, possessed tram car. At the center ofKhufus Wisdom,Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouzs majestic first novel, is the legendary Fourth Dynasty monarch Khufu (Cheops), for whom the Great Pyramid of Giza was built. Penniless, he seeks refuge in Wikalat Atiya, a historic but now completely run-down caravanserai that has become the home of the towns marginal and underprivileged characters.See reviews, This lyrical novel tells the story of a young man living in Egypt in the 1990s, a time of great turmoil. Citizens are required to obtain permission from the Gate in order to take care of even the most basic of their daily affairs, yet the Gate never opens, and the queue in front of it grows longer.See reviews, Meet Egypts top TV preacher Hatem el-Shenawi: a national celebrity revered by housewives and politicians alike for delivering Islam to the masses. While his children face middle age, it is through his grandsons that we see a modern Egypt emerging.See reviews, Cairo, January 1952. The time is 1942, the Second World War is at its height, and the Africa Campaign is raging along the northern coast of Egypt as far as El Alamein. In 1981 she was imprisoned by Anwar Sadat for alleged crimes against the State and was not released until after his assassination. Current price is See reviews, Ahmed, a society photographer in a celebrated Cairo nightclub, witnesses a friend horrifically killed in a fight between young business rivals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But what begins as a mere strategy for survival soon becomes much more for both Mahgub and his partner in crime, an equally desperate young woman named Ihsan. $25.99, Original price is Mission Statement To be together, they must flee their city, Vigdis renouncing a life of privilege and comfort. , Your email address will not be published. Memoirs from the Womens Prisonoffers both firsthand witness to womens resistance to state violence and fascinating insights into the formation of womens community. When the two meet, they are immediately seized by a passion far stronger than their ability to resist. Coming from a family of acclaimed literary figures, Essam has spent most of this decade compiling the realistic novel 1/4 Gram; a brutally honest insiders account on Egypts drug world. Her country taken, she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had. Against this backdrop of international upheaval, the novel tells the story of the Akifs, a middle-class family that has taken refuge in Cairos historic and bustling Khan al-Khalili neighborhood. But vengeance and greed may not be the only motives.See reviews, The completion of Khan Al-Khalili in 1945 marked a turning point in Naguib Mahfouzs career. Meanwhile, his former leftist friends are now all either capitalists or Islamists. It is long past midnight; some walk, some sit and smoke, and all are trading stories. She puts her artistry to work, in the hope of staying alive and being allowed to return to Egypt. When her lifeless body is discovered at the foot of a cliff, Imhoteps own flesh and blood become the apparent conspirators in her shocking murder. A recreation of the grandeur of ancient Egypt follows the fortunes of the clever and scheming eunuch Taita; the beautiful Lostris, a lord's daughter; and Tanus, an ambitious soldier. Still others read the empty rhetoric of state-run newspapers and wonder what it all means. Her works are centred on the subject of women in Islam and include Memoirs of a Woman Doctor, Woman at Point Zero, The Hidden Face of Eve and Memoirs from the Womens Prison. Denied permission to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor, he and Amelia are resigned to excavating mounds of rubble in the middle of nowhere. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. This tale moves between San, Africa is a part of the world I dream of exploring more. Tale Away is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Her experiences working as a doctor in villages around Egypt, witnessing prostitution, honour killings and sexual abuse, inspired her to write in order to give voice to this suffering. Roma recounts the tragedy of the hero-traitor Coriolanus, the capture of the city by the Gauls, the invasion of Hannibal, the bitter political struggles of the patricians and plebeians, and the ultimate death of Rome's republic with the triumph, and assassination, of Julius Caesar. See reviews, Never has Nobel Prize-winner Naguib Mahfouzs talent for rich and luxurious storytelling been more evident than inMidaq Alley, which centers around the residents of one of the hustling, teeming back alleys of Cairo. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhoteps heretical desire to forsake Egypts ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship. Charismatic and quick-witted, he has friends in high places. A young man has been drafted into the army. World Reading Challenge: Books Around The Globe 2018, World Reading Challenge: Books Around The Globe 2020, World Reading Challenge: Books Around The Globe 2019, Penguin Clothbound Classics: The Complete List, World Reading Challenge: Books Around The Globe 2021, The Days: His Autobiography in Three Parts, The Stream of Days: A Student at the Azhar, The Hidden Face of Eve: Women in the Arab World, Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories, The Time-Travels of the Man Who Sold Pickles and Sweets, A Border Passage: From Cairo to America A Womans Journey, Books Set In South Africa: South African Novels. Egypt is at a critical point in its modern history, struggling to throw off the yoke of the seventy-year British occupation and its corrupt royalist allies. The group of friends participation in the explosive bread riots is swiftly followed by the crushing experience of prison, and the course of their young lives changes irrevocably.See reviews, As with his earlier works, Mohamed El-Bisaties novel is set in the Egyptian countryside, about which he writes with such understanding. Written with sensitivity and honesty, it addresses an array of social issues in Egypts rapidly changing landscape, from fundamentalism to emigration.See reviews, The Haunting of Tram Car 015 returns to the alternate Cairo of Clarks short fiction, where humans live and work alongside otherworldly beings; the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities handles the issues that can arise between the magical and the mundane. The mysterious painting came into the museums possession without record, and Yasmine becomes consumed by the secret concealed within this captivating work. As he fights to survive the bloody purges and intensifying violence, Claudius is destined to step in as the next emperor one day. While the ravishing courtesan Rhadopis is bathing, a falcon lifts one of her golden sandals and drops it into the lap of the Pharaoh Merenra II. Set in the 5th century AD, Azazeel is the exquisitely crafted tale of a Coptic monks journey from Upper Egypt to Alexandria and then Syria during a time of massive upheaval in the early Church. One of them, Patroclus, is an exile who is disowned by his father. See reviews, Egypt on the eve of the 1973 October war. My posts sometimes include Amazon affiliate links, but only when links are available for books I truly want to write about. Spanning a thousand years, and following the shifting fortunes of two families through the ages, this is the epic saga of Rome, the city and its people. This is the first of seven novels in the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough set during the last days of the old Roman Republic. And there is nothing in this barren area worthy of their interest until an antiquities dealer is murdered in his own shop. Here, we present 12 of the best historical novels with a focus on Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome that capture the true essence of these periods. Please note: This post contains affiliate links. The protagonist of this prize-winning novel, an educated middle-class Egyptian from Alexandria, describes his experiences and those of migrant workers and professionals in one of the Gulf states, and their interaction with the oil-rich countrys local elite and with agents of Western businesses. Art historian, Yasmine, is restoring an unsigned portrait of a strikingly beautiful girl from the Napoleonic Era, when she discovers that the artist has embedded a lock of hair into the painting, something highly unusual. As the guests make their way to the party, each journey takes on a greater significance than a simple trip to the city, as they find themselves examining their pasts, their relationships to one another, and to the country in which they live. The familys loss propels them down different paths.See reviews, In the 1970s, once-cosmopolitan Alexandria was at the forefront of the clash between Nassers socialist-era principles and the burgeoning fundamentalist movement. Imperium is the first of a trilogy of novels about the struggle for power in ancient Rome. The first part, An Egyptian Childhood (1929), is full of the sounds and smells of rural Egypt. From the sensible Augustus to the callous Tiberius, and the terror of Caligula, Claudius experiences firsthand the corruption and insanity of Roman Empire society. At fourteen, Ramses, the second son of the Pharaoh Seth, must begin to pass a series of royal tests designed to build his mental and physical prowess or break him. President Mubarak has just been ousted from power. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the lives of the Bedouin and peasant women unfold, revealing the tragedy of the sonless mother and the intolerable heaviness of existence. Between Cairo and New York,Embrace on Brooklyn Bridgepaints a vivid portrait of a fragmented Arab-American family, one struggling to become whole again and to let go of the past.See reviews, Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. For generations, the men of the al-Raqb family have served as watchmen of the storied Ibn Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, built at the site where the infant Moses was taken from the Nile. Meanwhile, at the close of the French Campaign in Egypt, sixteen-year-old Zeinab, the daughter of a prominent sheikh, is drawn into French high society when Napoleon himself requests her presence. Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. The oldest city in the world is reeling from political revolution, its consequent hopes and fears, its violence, triumphs, and defeats.