Khufu's Wisdom [Hardcover]

Naguib Mahfouz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2004

Pharaoh Khufu is battling the Fates. At stake is the inheritance of Egypt's throne, the proud but tender heart of Khufu's beautiful daughter Princess Meresankh, and Khufu's legacy as a sage, not savage, ruler.
As the tale begins, Khufu is bored in his great palace at Memphis. To entertain him, his architect Mirabu expounds on the mighty masterwork he has so far spent ten years building, with little yet showing above ground - what will become the Great Pyramid of Giza. Mirabu and the clever vizier Hemiunu try other amusements as well - but to no avail. Then one of the king's sons fetches a magician with the power to predict the future. The sorcerer says that Khufu's own offspring will not inherit Egypt's throne after him, but that it will fall instead to a son born that very morning to the High Priest of Ra. Furious, Khufu and his crown prince, the ruthless Khafra, set out to change the decree of the Fates - which fight back in the form of Djedefra, the boy at the center of the prophecy, and his heart's desire, Princess Meresankh. Yet will the unsuspecting Khufu survive the intrigue around him - not only to finish his long-awaited book of wisdom, but to become truly wise?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The incredible variety of Naguib Mahfouz's writings continue to dazzle our eyes."

About the Author

NAGUIB MAHFOUZ was born in 1911 in the crowded Cairo district of Gamaliya. He studied philosophy at Cairo University, then worked in various government ministries until his retirement in 1971. His first three published novels were Khufu's Wisdom (1939), Rhadopis of Nubia (1943), and Thebes at War (1944), all of which are set in ancient Egypt. These political and philosophical critiques disguised as historical romances show the unmistakable signs of a burgeoning literary genius. He went on to write more than 35 other novel-length works, plus hundreds of short stories and numerous cinema plots and scenarios, many of which have been made into successful films. Naguib Mahfouz was awarded the Nobel prize for literature in 1988. In 2006, he died at the age of 95.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press (January 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9774248066
• ISBN-13: 978-9774248061
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,891,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Mahfouz' 'Khufu', December 11, 2010

By 

Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Khufu's Wisdom (Paperback)

This is a careful work of historical fiction subjected to a disappointing translation. The translator takes some interesting metaphors and delivers them with shaking hands and stumbling feet. It's clear that Mahfouz used a variety of literary motifs from ancient literature. The translation isn't horrible, mind you. In truth, I can't even give commentary on its level of accuracy. What I can insist is that it might have been better rendered. Still, this is a fair work of historical fiction, and one that is short enough and focused enough to prove both pleasant and educational.