book data
122 ratings, 3.77 average rating, 10 reviews
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published
January 14th 1993
by Anchor Books
binding
Paperback, 192 pages
isbn
038526478X
(isbn13: 9780385264785)
description
A highly charged, tightly written tale of intersecting lives that provides us with both an engaging and powerful story as well as a vivid portra...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 161)
Read in December, 2007
I read this book in December, along with Adrift on the Nile, to round out Mahfouz's "middle period." Pretty illuminating political allegory about the betrayal of socialist ideals in mid-1960 Egypt (before the disastrous war with Israel in 1967). It has a Rashomon-like structure with competing narratives on what occurs in the novel (the suicide of one of the guest at a boardinghouse in Alexandria--a wayward refuge for mostly Egyptian exiles and such). Unfortunately, its glaring weakness...more
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Read in April, 2008
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this, having never read any Arab literature before. I liked the idea of each character in the story relating their version of events, and I felt that that did build up a story from different angles. However, it was only the male characters, and I felt the missing female element...but I'm not sure if that's perhaps a cultural/historical influence.
I did also learn something about the politics of the time, but this is a huge gap in my general knowledge, so...more
I did also learn something about the politics of the time, but this is a huge gap in my general knowledge, so...more
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Read in June, 2008
This is really a short story, retold from the point of view of different main characters. When I realized that was what it was going to be, I was disappointed at first since I mistakenly thought I knew (in effect) how the story comes out. Each retelling by a different characters adds to the telling of the outcome as well as difference perspectives to the events building to that end - it's extremely clever.
The story is quite depressing and since Mahfouz tells it so well, that effect is mult...more
The story is quite depressing and since Mahfouz tells it so well, that effect is mult...more
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Read in December, 2006
I feel like I would have appreciated this novella better if I had a deeper understanding of Egyptian history - it delves into a lot of early to mid 20th century moments that as an Egyptian, you would know like the air you breathe. The characters however, are the best part. I can see each of them in this old ransacked hotel.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
People who are interested in Arab society and history, as well as sociological drama.
This is an interesting look at the Egyptian society during the days of Arab socialism in the 1960s. But it is also a kind of psychological thriller. I read it while in Alexandria where the book takes place and could perhaps better get into the atmosphere than had I not been there.
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Read in March, 2004
recommends it for:
Everyone
Good insights into Egyptian history and politics, while trying to tell a compelling story. My only issue is that authors have to stop using their female characters as a symbol for the nation, but since it was written some time ago, I can forgive it.
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Read in March, 2008
This book was a little confusing for about the first half or so, then it starts making sense. It tells the story of 7 people living in a pension in Alexandria from four different perspectives. It was only okay.
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ayank... kembalikan bukuq yang belum sempat kubaca ini..nyarinya zuzah tahu...
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Read in April, 1999
Read this for a course in Arabic literature with Professor Hussein.
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wished i had finished it in alexandria.
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