What is your favourite Naguib Mahfouz novel/ story and why?
I love The Cairo Trilogy. These are the first books I read by an Egyptian author and they remain my favourites. Palace Walk Palace of Desire Sugar Street All three were written between 1957-58 and tell the story of a middle class Cairean family through three generations, from WW1 to the downfall of sovereignty in Egypt with the over throw of King Farouk in 1952. I couldn’t say which is my absolute fave of the three, but if I am pressed it would be Palace of Desire the second of the three. The great thing is they are written about the loves and interactions of families and individuals from the streets of Fahrouz’s youth. The places where he walked and observed the neighbourhood interplay of rivalry,jealousies, hidden secrets and unrequited loves between the various families in these streets. If you haven’t already read them then I can recommend them to you as a wonderful literary experience and education.
