Voices from the Other World : Naguib Mahfouz

Naguib Mahfouz was a Nobel prize winning Egyptian writer whose works brought to life different parts of Egyptian history.

Voices from the Other world is a collection of five short stories which were written in the 1930s and 1940s. They might have been ancient fables which Mahfouz rewrote.  The stories are related to Pharonic Egypt but have some very interesting themes. Evil Adored satirises the do gooders.. those who fight for justice who then will have nothing to do when justice is achieved; King Userkaf's forgiveness is about a happy man who questions the loyalty of his friends and relatives - 'people seek refuge in the shade of a leafy tree, but when winter strips it bare, they cut the branches for  for firewood".  The Mummy Awakens is a satire on the modern Egypt's relationship with the old; The Return of Sinuhe is about decisions made in haste while A Voice from the Other World is a tale told from the tomb about detachment and death.  The stories have humour, and clever twists in the end.
This is a highly recommended read!



The Bookclub had done Sugar Street and Palace of Desire .

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    i want text ofshort story "the mumy awakens" by nughiab mahfooz.from where i could get it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vidyaratha KissoonFebruary 11, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    I dont have the book any more :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:12 AM

    Can anyone provide original text of "The Mummy Awakens" by Nughiab Mahfooz. Please provide its link urgently.

    ReplyDelete

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