Callie's profile

15 ratings | 2 reviews
avg rating: 3.27

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currently-reading (1)

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Callie is currently reading

	12/24 Callie is currently reading: Harp of Burma (UNESCO Collection of Contemporary Works) by Michio Takeyama bookshelves: currently-reading	my rating:
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December 29

Callie gave

to:
Me and Mr. Darcy: A Novel (Paperback)
by Alexandra Potter

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December 24

Callie is currently reading:
Harp of Burma (UNESCO Collection of Contemporary Works)
by Michio Takeyama
bookshelves: currently-reading

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Callie marked as to-read:
Atonement: A Novel (Paperback)
by Ian McEwan
bookshelves: to-read

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December 20

Callie gave

to:
Midaq Alley (Paperback)
by Naguib Mahfouz

my rating:

read in December, 2007

Callie said: "Callie Clifton
Mrs. Ebarvia
Honors World Literature
December 21, 2007
Midaq Alley Book Review
Midaq Alley, a novel by Naguib Mahfouz, takes place in a small backstreet alley in Cairo, Egypt. The story follows the lives of the alley’s inhabit...more Callie Clifton
Mrs. Ebarvia
Honors World Literature
December 21, 2007
Midaq Alley Book Review
Midaq Alley, a novel by Naguib Mahfouz, takes place in a small backstreet alley in Cairo, Egypt. The story follows the lives of the alley’s inhabitants. From the barbershop to the local café, the characters of Midaq Alley create for themselves a real-life soap opera with drama, deceit, and death hiding in the shadows of the alley. Midaq Alley is written by Naguib Mahfouz, a world-renowned writer. Mahfouz was born in Cairo, Egypt and attended the University of Cairo. In 1988, Mahfouz won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature, making his name internationally famous. Midaq Alley, arguably one of Mahfouz’s best pieces of work, won Mahfouz the Noble Peace Prize.
Although Midaq Alley is an enjoyable read, it does have some weaknesses. Naguib Mahfouz’s story displays true human nature openly and bluntly. Mahfouz’s characters seem harsh and at times unlikable, making the book hard to read at times. Another negative to Midaq Alley is its lack of resolution. The plot of the story presents and intriguing conflict, but no resolution is ever found. No elucidation or clarification is provided, but rather a continuation of the conflict is presented. This creates the illusion that the book does not come to an end.
Midaq Alley does have spectacular strong points as well at its weak points. The form in which Mahfouz writes is especially interesting. The chapter subjects jump from character to character, all intertwining together. Additionally, the foil characters Mahfouz creates contrast each other wonderfully. Abbas’s innocence and morality against Hamida’s selfish nature compliment each other, making the characters more profound and defined. Midaq Alley would not be the success it is were if not for Mahfouz’s analysis of human nature. Mahfouz creates such believable characters through the way they act towards each other and in different situations, giving the novel an extra element that makes it a wonderful read. The characters are unique and unforgettable.
Despite the few weaknesses of Midaq Alley, it was a delightful read. Although gloomy at times, Mahfouz produces an irresistible, exciting and shocking story. The characters are vivid and memorable that anyone would swear they are real people. The seemingly unconnected lives of the inhabitants of Midaq Alley come together through a dramatic series of events. Anyone can enjoy Midaq Alley. Midaq Alley blends drama, romance and fiction seamlessly and will appeal to almost any reader.
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December 19

New comment on Callie's review of The Pact: A Love Story

Callie wrote: "Oh thank you very much, but I already have it! It's sitting on my desk just waiting for me to read i...more "

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December 15

Callie gave

to:
Love Is a Many Trousered Thing (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson)
by Louise Rennison

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December 06

Callie marked as to-read:
The Pact: A Love Story (Mass Market Paperback)
by Jodi Picoult
bookshelves: to-read

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