Although Naguib Mahfouz's "Cairo Modern" was published in 1945, it remains just what the title alludes to: A modern, timeless tale.
The novel, recently translated from Arabic, paints a glorious picture of Cairo in the 1930s, replete with cruises down the Nile River and elegant parties. Of course, societal and governmental changes also emerge, making the story a realistic portrait of Egypt at this time.
Despite some minor problems with the plot's flow, "Cairo Modern" remains a stunning historical novel -- and one that isn't easily forgotten.
The storyline follows Mahgub, a student in his last semester of college. Mahgub's father suddenly takes ill and has little money to spare for Mahgub's living expenses.
While Mahgub is learning how to pinch pennies, he's also searching for the elusive post-graduation job -- a subplot that makes the novel immediately relatable to college students.
Desperate to escape his life of poverty, Mahgub accepts a life of luxury: a high-level government job, an arranged marriage and paid living expenses. But the agreement comes with a price. His new wife, Ihsan, is actually the mistress of another government worker, who pays for all expenses in return for Mahgub's silence.
Mahgub swiftly gets swept up in his own greed and his quest for government power -- which naturally swirls into conflict throughout the rest of the novel.
The idea behind the novel is innovative, and Mahfouz's gift as a storyteller shines through his characters.
Even while the protagonist does some unsavory things -- lying to and abandoning his destitute family, for instance -- the reader somehow remains endeared to him. He may be too self-absorbed for his own good, but he is also delightfully human. His actions, selfish as they may be, are entirely believable.
The novel is sometimes stalled by the asides of some of the secondary characters, which calls to mind a subtle Shakespearean influence. These lulls often leave the reader yearning for the action to return to Mahgub's tribulations.
For readers unfamiliar with world literature, "Cairo Modern" may be an appropriate starting point. The prose flows in such a way that its Arabic origins are virtually unrecognizable.
In case any Arabic phrases slipped past the translation though, a glossary accompanies the novel. The glossary explains some definitions, like Mahgub's favorite and perhaps overused catchphrase, "tuzz": "a contemptuous interjection." Thus, the reader can indulge in "Cairo Modern's" engaging plot while also picking up some Egyptian slang: an added bonus to an already intriguing novel.
Mahfouz has passed away since the publication of this novel, and the Cairo that is illustrated in this novel probably has, too. Fortunately, readers can escape to this thrilling time period and indulge in the scandalous plot by picking up "Cairo Modern" -- no passport required.
Grade: B
