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Playing Cards in Cairo
by
Hugh Miles
Recently installed in Cairo as a freelance journalist and expat barfly, Hugh Miles soon meets and falls in love with Roda, a beautiful Egyptian doctor, who introduces him to Egypt's favourite pastime, the card game tarneeb, to her all-female card circle, and to a previously unseen side of life in the Middle East's greatest city. While the women cut and shuffle, Miles liste...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
April 3rd 2008
by Abacus
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I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, Miles' observations on the Egyptian social and to some extent, political landscape, were spot on. This book was written way before the Arab Spring was realized in Egypt, and Miles astutely and repeatedly highlights the suffocating social and economical climate under which many Egyptians have been living in. Miles especially hones in on the difficulties faced by the young (early 30s) and highly educated group of women he played tarneeb w...more
One thing that really bothered me about this book was the cover with the picture of a woman with her face covered - too orientalist for my liking and a bit of a turn-off.
On the whole, it's an interesting read - more for a foreign audience than an Egyptian one. It is at times insightful and informative, but, as a piece of literature, it lacks heart and conviction. The story of the narrator and his lover get lost in the stories of her friends, and the main plot line gets drowned out and feels a b...more
On the whole, it's an interesting read - more for a foreign audience than an Egyptian one. It is at times insightful and informative, but, as a piece of literature, it lacks heart and conviction. The story of the narrator and his lover get lost in the stories of her friends, and the main plot line gets drowned out and feels a b...more
Nominally this is a novel but it feels like an autobiographical piece. The story line, such as it is, isn't what drives this; rather it is the observations about Egypt.
Despite having spent eight months in Cairo, I don't speak Arabic and know little about Egyptian society - nonetheless, this book struck me as likely being a reasonable portrayal of Cairo today, albeit a narrow part of middle class society and from the perspective of an ex-pat (but an ex-pat whose main connection is with Egyptians,...more
Despite having spent eight months in Cairo, I don't speak Arabic and know little about Egyptian society - nonetheless, this book struck me as likely being a reasonable portrayal of Cairo today, albeit a narrow part of middle class society and from the perspective of an ex-pat (but an ex-pat whose main connection is with Egyptians,...more
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up - I was just really intrigued by the cover. It's beautiful and to be honest, so was the book in a very messy kind of way. Hugh Miles gives a great account of life in Egypt but now looking back I'm really confused because I can't remember if he ever said what his name was in the story...
Any way, its rather autobiographical - I felt like I was being spoken to. But I really enjoyed reading about his encounter with Egyptians and his friendship...more
Any way, its rather autobiographical - I felt like I was being spoken to. But I really enjoyed reading about his encounter with Egyptians and his friendship...more
This book is light reading but interesting nonetheless. The narrator lived on Zamaluk, an island in Cairo, where we were staying. He provides an interesting brief history of Zamaluk but it is the main focus of the book that takes place in present day that fascinates. An English reporter hangs out with a female Egyptian friend in a coed relationship that is almost unheard of in modern Egypt. Spoiler alert: eventually they marry.
A great introduction to modern Egyptian society. Having been an expat in Cairo myself - incl. a love story that ended in marriage and later divorce - I had the feeling I had lived a very, very similar story. The story didn't contain any news for me, but I would recommend it to anyone, people who lived there (for old times' sake) and people going there, for whatever reason.
Another thing I really liked is the fact that the narrator seems to have the same sentiments about Cairo: fantastic place tha...more
Another thing I really liked is the fact that the narrator seems to have the same sentiments about Cairo: fantastic place tha...more
I was really excited about reading this book but unfortunately it was a great idea but real poor implementation! Can't classify the type of book it is but the author seems to be influenced by documentary script writing. It may be interesting for a foreigner as an account of middle class Egypt but not a very accurate one. I truly believe that at certain points in time the author has allowed himself the use of his imagination in what he recounts as reality . Had better expectations when I started...more
Aug 11, 2011
Zabetta Camilleri
added it
A very easy read about an amazingly complex subject. Very enjoyable.
Dec 04, 2009
Amna
added it
i love it it made me feel i am there whith them,
Jul 20, 2008
Diptychal
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
absolutely no one
Recommended to Diptychal by:
a friend who has a lot to answer to
I had such high expectations for this novel but it turned out to be just another stereotypical and limited view of Egypt from an expat point of view. The book had its moments - maybe about three to be exact - but most of the characters were cartoonish, the explanations of Arabic phrases or traditions inaccurate and the general attitude of the author overly-condescending and even smug at times. I would only recommend not bothering with it.
Fairly interesting. Not all that informative, having been to Cairo. But an interesting look at the private lives of Egyptian women. A decent read-- not heartily encouraged, but ok.
09/28/2009 This was an interesting and colourful introduction to the city of Cairo. I liked the characters` stories.
An enlightening view of the lives of Egyptian Woman. An Enjoyable read.
UK: trade paperback original
May 19, 2009
Stacey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in other cities/cultures
Very enjoyable, insightful look at the way people live in 'modern' day egypt, highly recommend it!
This book gave me a sense of the lives of modern Egyptian women in Cairo. It also got me thinking about human relationships - particularly family relations and cross-cultural relationships.
May 15, 2013
Kayjae
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Maha
marked it as to-read
May 02, 2013
Nada Mohamed
marked it as to-read
Apr 25, 2013
Menna
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2013
Eibhlín Ní riain
marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2013
Binky Watkins
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2013
Muhamad El-Fouly
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
Holly Smith
marked it as to-read
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