This author always has a way that attracts me to reading more and more of his work . Haven't read since approximately a year but this book was the perfect opportunity to remind me of the importance of reading :)
A collection of excellent short stories by one of my favourite writers. Ihsan's language is unmatched and so difficult to imitate despite its simplicity, and his ability to reach the depth of each character is amazing. The short stories of this collection give detailed accounts of Egypt under the war (during the 1960s and the 1970s) and also sheds light on the values of the Egyptian society (as well as some Arab societies). Egyptians, as appears in the book, are fond of pretending to follow religious morals, but never actually follow them. Women are a main issue in Abdel Qoddous's books, and he skillfully shows how they get subject to oppression in the name of upholding religious morals which are never actually abode by. Defeat's name is not only Fatema, but Hosna, Wafaa, Dawlat, and the name of every Egyptian woman. War is was not our only defeat. We defeat ourselves every day.