Customer Reviews

Pyramid Texts: A Modern Arabic Novel (Modern Arabic Literature)

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Editor-in-chief of the literary review 'Akhbar al-adah' and the author of six collections of short stories, Egyptian author Gamal al-Ghitani has written "Pyramid Texts", a novel that fully reveals his impressive abilities at story telling that blends Sufi mysticism and medieval Islamic history with the imagery and mystery those enigmatic monuments of Egyptian antiquity that are the only surviving member of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Designed so that a series of chapters, each of which is shorter than the last, represents a uniquely modernist style of narrative. Ably translated into English by Humphrey Davies, and made available to an American readership through the auspices of International Publishers Marketing, "Pyramid Texts" transcends cultures to provide a modern work of literary excellence that is a modern Arabic novel which is enthusiastically recommended for academic and community library collections in general, and enthusiasts of avant garde literature in particular.

This is the first Modern Arabic Novel that I have read. I did not know what to expect, but I can tell you now that this book is a delight and a fast read. I learned about a culture so different from mine, and was delighted with the simplicity of the lives of the characters. The focus throughout the whole book is on the Pyramids, and the progression of the chapters, beginning with the longer texts, move you through the book as you climb higher and higher and shorter chapters with each new story. The last chapter leaves you with... well, I wont reveal the end...this book is a keeper. READ IT!