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Journey of Ibn Fattouma, The Hardcover – August 1, 1992

by
Naguib Mahfouz (Author)
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Naguib Mahfouz (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 21 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 148 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday; 1st Doubleday ed edition (August 1, 1992)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385423233
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385423236
  • Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.8 x 8.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsa late coming menu of choice for 1960's egypt
By mansour on September 22, 2000
Format: Paperback
"The son of fatouma" leaves his home, which he descries as a middle ages cairo (when cairo was a beacon of civilisation in an ignorant world), but the lands he sees are belief systems the author contrives: take mashreq or "eastern land" the first, with it's nudism, paganism and tribal culture, africa? then the hayra or "confused or frustrated land" where everything from the customs office to the work system is highly suggestive of East block communism. Finally is the libertine (like mashreq) yet ordered (like hayra) hilba ( an egyptian sweet made up of many mixed ingredients, a melting pot if you will) where the muslims drink wine, suggestive of america. Ibn Fatouma choses none of these in the end, and goes on to utopia (gebel or mountain), stopping on the way to "cleanse" himself at the land of the tree, a suggestively bhuddist like area, before :heaven? what will? what should?
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5.0 out of 5 starsA lesson in humanity
By HORAK on June 27, 2006
Format: Paperback
Ibn Fattouma, or Quindil as his father called him, is about to depart for the quest of the land of Gebel, a place considered by many to be a miracle of countries, perfection itself, because the world seems to him loathsomely jaundiced and not to be born or lived in.

Quindil's long journey to Gebel will take him to different countries: the land of Mashriq, land of Haira, land of Halba, land of Aman and land of Ghuroub. Each of these countries shows social and political institutions similar to the ones we know, be it a kingdom, a democracy or a totalitarian regime and with much humour Mr Mahfouz depicts in a fairytale like prose the absurdities of each system.

The last chapter is called The Beginning because after visiting five lands, Gebel finally comes into view far in the distance on top of the Green Mountain and Quindil is about to ascend its winding path.
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5.0 out of 5 starsIn search of perfection by a great writer
By Koan on June 27, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The Journey of Ibn Fattouma is an imaginary hourny in search of an imaginary perfect political, social and religious system that we all dream of. Even with a great imagination like Mahfouz he can't even get close to the Utopia he is looking for.
He encountered war and injustice everywhere he went. At the Land of Ghoroub which is similar to (Buddhism)her realised that all imperfection resides in the essence of every human being that shows outwardly in our daily conduct with others and consequently breeds hatered, wars and injustice. Meditation or turning our conscious inwardly enables us to discover our pure ellement and become enlightend. Our outer world depends mainly on our inner realization of our oneness with everything and everyone else, and we don't have to go anywhere to in search of Utopia.
The Land of Gebel is the ultimate goal or Salvation. It is upward passage, individual, without any companion or guidance of any kind except your inner light. Anyone could reach salvation like Ibn Fattouma's wife who was from a primitive land, pagan and uneducated only through suffering.
The book is simble, easy read, lucid style and a prove that "simplicity is the seal of truth", therfore I recommend it and deservs five stars.
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5.0 out of 5 starsWar is the father of everybody (Heraclitus)
By Luc REYNAERT on September 28, 2002
Format: Paperback
Ibn Fattouna flees around the world, living in all sorts of political systems, but all systems fail because of war.
This book is a magnificent political parable, exemplified by the tragic destiny of one man and his household.
A masterpiece.
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3.0 out of 5 starsNot Mahfouz's Best
By Ahmed Haque on October 27, 2008
Format: Paperback
This book is nowhere near as rich as the Cairo Trilogy. It doesn't have the same level of depth of thought and is too short to give you that panoramic of Middle Eastern mentality that he does in the Trilogy.

That said its a quick read. It has a few interesting thoughts on man's search for the perfect way of life. It often seems like a scant political commentary, but Mahfouz's book doesn't have to be limited to politics. It goes beyond, somewhat reminiscent of Siddhartha to pursuing something very individual.

However, I wonder if the translation is really giving me the full picture. Compared to other translated works I've read by Mahfouz, this one seems overly simplified. Like reading a children's book at times.
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4.0 out of 5 stars160 Pages of Poetry
By David on March 3, 2004
Format: Paperback
Mahfouz's book The Journey of Ibn Fattouma is an incredible, poetic work which follows Qindil, Ibn Fattouma, from 'The Land of Islam' on a life-long quest to find Gebel, the land of perfection.
The only detractions I could make are that the translation, while flawless in its mechanics, is not as poetic as I imagine the original Arabic text to be (based on what I have read about the Arabic.) This comes with translation, however, and the work of turning it to English remains highly poetic, beautiful, and was clearly the work of a master in both languages. The other detraction is a stylistic one. Mahfouz's chapters all follow the same basic formula: Qindil arrives in a new place; Qindil's guide gives him a brief rundown of it; Qindil explores the city; Qindil meets with a religious leader; Quindil gets in trouble because of a woman; Qindil leaves.
If you get past that, which seems not to be an insurmountable request, the work is an incredibly well crafted piece which explores the depth behind religion, religious freedom, hedonism, tolerance, perfection, and humanity.

If you like John Steinbeck or Toni Morrison, you're likely to enjoy Mahfouz as well. Clearly, he is a writer who puts considerable thought into the meaning, the higher purpose, of his work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFavorite!

One of my absolute favorite books!

Published 6 months ago by Bob
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

A spiritual journey, a simple fable and another Mahfouz classic.

Published 17 months ago by Avinesh
3.0 out of 5 starsGood Class Book

It was an interesting read for me and gave me a vibe that I'll never forget even if I wanted to.

Published on December 31, 2013 by Jonathan Kerns
2.0 out of 5 starsDon't start here

I was excited when my book group picked this title, since I'd never read Mahfouz and was curious about this Noble-prize-winning writer, who many friends admire. Read more

Published on September 2, 2010 by Designing Books
4.0 out of 5 starsThought Provoking, Intellectual, and Insightful, but plot could be...

Mahfouz is a very talented writer. The literature is very rich and the devices he uses contribute to the fascination of the reader with the character of Ibn Fattouma. Read more

Published on September 28, 2008 by Cosmopolitan Misanthrope
4.0 out of 5 starsFattouma's Travels

After reading three previous book by Naguib Mahfouz, I figured I hadn't read anything impressive so why read any more. Read more

Published on October 24, 2007 by Randy Keehn
4.0 out of 5 starsQuite Interesting

This short novel offers a very interesting and contemplative exploration of the difficult political systems. Read more

Published on November 13, 2005 by A.Bassiouny
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Imporant Little Read

I read this on the recommendation of a friend, and found it a very interesting tale. It took me a little while to orient myself with the unfamiliar style, but it soon became clear... Read more

Published on June 23, 2005 by C. Longley
5.0 out of 5 starsA quick enjoyable and thought provoking read.

Travel with Ibn Fattouma as he searches for a Utopia planning to return home to Medieval Cairo with lessons for his homeland. Read more

Published on January 4, 2005 by L. F Sherman
3.0 out of 5 starsAnother attempt to scale the Tower of Babel?

I am a fan of Naguib Mafouz, and I eagerly picked this novel up, hoping that it would be as transporting as Arabian Nights and Days. Read more

Published on March 18, 2004

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