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Three Stories from Cairo
The first story is told from the point of view of Keiko, a Japanese girl in Cairo preparing to return home to teach Arabic to businessmen in Tokyo. The apartment above her is supposed to be empty, but Keiko hears noises. Cairo is noisy. Of course the Bawab, the super, tells her she is imagining things, especially “drilling” noises. In fact, the key has been rented, loaned and copied so often that there actually is a woman up there sewing belly dancer costumes. A part-time prostitute uses the place, as does a young man. In a flight of fancy, McCullough describes a herd of cats who congregate there, complete with dialogue. “Fat Louie played the piano. Sasha played the drums.” Everyone lies to the foreigner. No matter. She will leave soon.
In “Taken Hostage by the Ugly Duck,” Hada, an uptight conventional housewife disappointed with her own life, is scandalized by the British gay man across the alley. He is often naked, entertains young men, makes a lot of noise. To retaliate, she buys, inexplicably, a great blue heron that “yaws” noisily at him. He counters by buying a parrot that sings, loudly, “Wait a minute, Mr. Postman,” and “I’m on the top of the world, looking down on creation.”
When the flat across the alley goes silent, Hoda misses the excitement and even imagines foul play.
“The Story of Fresh Springs” is a murder mystery, sort of. Two young women, Pomegranate and Peach, are murdered. Detectives Hawks and Falcon are on the case.
In time, a virile young man “Superboy,” a kind of acrobat, is arrested probably wrongly, since it seems he has really been using his athletic skills to climb up trees and into the bedrooms of willing, bored housewives.
Like McCullough’s other stories, this too ascends into the metaphorical/fantastic as the detectives quell crowd unrest by threatening to let loose a pack of cross-eyed Chihuahuas, trained to chew off the big toes of protesters.
The physical volume of these Cairo stories itself reflects the international nature of her work. First, one reads the stories “normally,” from the front to the middle of the book. Then, if able, one can read the stories in Arabic translation, a collaboration between McCullough and Egyptian poet and editor Mohamed Metwalli, from the back of the book to the middle, there meeting the end of the English version.
In “Taken Hostage by the Ugly Duck,” Hada, an uptight conventional housewife disappointed with her own life, is scandalized by the British gay man across the alley. He is often naked, entertains young men, makes a lot of noise. To retaliate, she buys, inexplicably, a great blue heron that “yaws” noisily at him. He counters by buying a parrot that sings, loudly, “Wait a minute, Mr. Postman,” and “I’m on the top of the world, looking down on creation.”
When the flat across the alley goes silent, Hoda misses the excitement and even imagines foul play.
“The Story of Fresh Springs” is a murder mystery, sort of. Two young women, Pomegranate and Peach, are murdered. Detectives Hawks and Falcon are on the case.
In time, a virile young man “Superboy,” a kind of acrobat, is arrested probably wrongly, since it seems he has really been using his athletic skills to climb up trees and into the bedrooms of willing, bored housewives.
Like McCullough’s other stories, this too ascends into the metaphorical/fantastic as the detectives quell crowd unrest by threatening to let loose a pack of cross-eyed Chihuahuas, trained to chew off the big toes of protesters.
The physical volume of these Cairo stories itself reflects the international nature of her work. First, one reads the stories “normally,” from the front to the middle of the book. Then, if able, one can read the stories in Arabic translation, a collaboration between McCullough and Egyptian poet and editor Mohamed Metwalli, from the back of the book to the middle, there meeting the end of the English version.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 25, 2026
Though the stories were enjoyable. I found myself craving a bit more in certain parts. Nevertheless, as a person born and raised in Cairo, I enjoyed the digs it made at Egyptian society and the unique aspects that the city brings in general. Overall, such a short read that it’s worth to get
February 5, 2026
This book shows how hard it is to write exciting short stories
May 18, 2020
I remember it was one of the very first books I read entering university. Later on, I was lucky to be tutored by Prof. McCullough and it was nothing less that absolute magic. I loved how it was written and never thought that I would actually come face to face with the author and learn from her.
I think one main reason I recommend this book is how it gives you an insight on how people who have not experienced Egypt come to visualize it and try to grasp it. It's very light. It's surprising. Once I saw the title I remember all my feelings reading it in the library, and it's very nostalgic.
I think one main reason I recommend this book is how it gives you an insight on how people who have not experienced Egypt come to visualize it and try to grasp it. It's very light. It's surprising. Once I saw the title I remember all my feelings reading it in the library, and it's very nostalgic.
November 29, 2012
amazing story telling, strong characters. good eye observing CAIRO.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews