The story of Egypt, let alone Alexandria, during WWII was a great unknown to me. Happily Meguid's book has provided plenty of historical information while also providing a story of the city's inhabitants that opens up that history. He chooses Sheik Magd al-Din and his friend Dimyan as the center of the novel. The Sheik is a devout Muslim who has memorized the Quran. He has been forced to leave his country village due to an inter family feud and killings and came with his wife and daughter to Alexandria. Dimyan is a Copt living in Alexandria who will become Magd al-Din's daily companion and friend.
As the novel begins, the war is beginning in Europe and The mood in Alexandria is removed from all that though there is awareness and some worry. What we see in this novel is truly a city without sleep. Some quarter is always stirring, especially with people moving through from all over the middle East, escaping from Europe, traveling within Egypt. Alexandria was filled with so many people of differing beliefs who very often tried to live together and succeeded. We see them in their daily activities, practicing their faiths, dealing with their fears. Humans in a cosmopolitan city, an Egyptian city.
Highly recommended for those who read historical fiction with a strong history content.
I always thought that if I reread this beautiful novel, I would reread it in Arabic. But, it happened that I was required to read it for the second time in English because of the comparative course I am having at the MA in English literature. we're comparing it to Justine by Lawrence Durrell. Anyway, I am still in love with it and I even loved it more and more. I loved it more, despite the fact that some parts of the translation just killed me and made me want to hit someone. However, I cannot deny that the translator did a good job. It's a difficult novel. But, he could have done better. Some parts were so literal, I could see the Arabic origin in them. Some other parts, I just hoped that whoever is reading them in English would just understand them or would get a hint of what is going on and then would move on to what's next. I knew them because it's my culture and because I read the Arabic first (thank God). Anyway, it was a really good experience. I am still in love (and even became more in love) with every single character in this novel. Plus, discussing it with a whole class of similar minded people is just the ultimate book- worm dream anyone could wish for. Also, what's up with that cover?!!