WAR IN THE LAND OF EGYPT

by Yusuf al-Qa'id ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 13, 1998

The first English translation of a prominent Egyptian writer's work, this haunting 1975 novel (which was banned in Egypt) is set during the 1973 October War and details what happens when a powerful village elder (or ""umda"") buys the son of a deferential night-watchman to replace the umda's son, who has been drafted into the army. A chorus of superbly differentiated villagers' voices chronicles the inescapable fate of the substitute son, Marsi, an Everyman (his very name means ""Egyptian"") whose exile from his identity reverberates powerfully throughout a subtle study of injustice that's equally effective as a pellucid allegory of conflicts between power and poverty, city and country, selfishness and simple duty. A marvelous piece of work.

Pub Date: April 13, 1998

ISBN: 1566562279

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Interlink

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1998

Categories: FICTION