(533 pages)
This is the story of a family residing in Cairo. Story line begins around 1915 - in the midst of WWI. Not a big direct effect on Cairo, but Australians are occupying certain sections, English are running things, and Egyptian nationalism is roused by the trends affecting so much of the world in those days (Wilsonian self-determination sentiments and the like).
The political stuff gets much less attention than the family.
This first book spends a lot of time introducing the family members.
Father - Sayyid - extremely strict at home (conservative Islam, nationalist politics), boisterous and charming when with his friends. Highly respected by all family members, admittedly they don't know much about what he does when he goes out with his friends every single evening (wine, women, song). He is a jerk in many ways but strong person, completely loyal as he understands it.
Mother - Amina - dominated by Sayyid but a nice human being. Not allowed to leave the house except on a supervised basis to visit her mother every now and again. Feel sorry for her.
Yasin - eldest son (different mother than Amina). He repeats a lot of Sayyid's behaviors. Lacks self-control.
Khadija - eldest daughter - caustic.
Aisha - next daughter - less development of her character - beautiful, likes singing, dislikes conflict.
Falmy - middle son - diligent student, headed for law school, deeply involved in politics.
Kamal - youngest son.
A technique that I really like - the author can convey what it's like when a character in a stressful situation has all sorts of thoughts running through his or her head - fear, humor, non sequitur, absurdity, practicality, etc. When Sayyid is going to help folks filling the ditch; when he is waiting outside Aisha's delivery room, when Yasin is visiting his mother, etc.
Falmy as the vehicle for discussing political events in Cairo at the time.
Onto part 2!
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