Khan al-Khalili

This book holds our hand and transports us to a quarter in Egypt where the WWII is at their door.The war arouses in the characters - mainly men at the cafe, what they feel about British, French and Germans in view of the historical/ politcal side of the book. On other hand are the conflicts of love - of different kind of love , brother' s love filial's love and erotic love.These are the mainly problems that humanity faces,a man who aspired to be an intelectual and only finds pain and frustration. However, depending on which culture we are standing is the point of view we have, in this book is a Middle East writer so that the conflict is viewed by religion and the different degrees of faith that each chatacter performs.

Really great book, I read it before a trip to Egypt. Loved how it showed that, regardless of cultural differences, people are the same and want the same things in life.

Great read

Mahfouz excels in depicting Egyptians way of life. This is my first Mahfouz book and for sure not the last.