Pages from Naguib Mahfouz's memoirs

Author's name: Raja Al-Naqash

Although the great writer Naguib Mahfouz adamantly refused to write his autobiography, the renowned critic Rajaa al-Naqqash succeeded in convincing him to recount it to him instead. Over the course of 18 months, starting in August 1991, Mahfouz narrated his life story to al-Naqqash, shedding light on many aspects of his personality, most of which were surprises to his readers and fans. Here, the great writer gives his opinion on every detail about literature, cinema, and politics in Egypt. He describes the stages of his childhood and the experiences of his youth, then discusses his novels that sparked journalistic and political crises. He also expresses frank opinions about Egypt's leaders from Saad Zaghloul to the present, as well as his story with the Nobel Prize and its impact on his life. Before al-Naqqash concludes his book by reviewing the assassination attempt on Mahfouz and the circumstances of the incident and the case. This and many other secrets, published for the first time, can be found in this book, which represents an unofficial autobiography of Naguib Mahfouz. Raja Al-Naqqash (1934–2008) is one of the most important critics in the Arab world. He discovered numerous talents and figures who became icons in Arab culture, such as Mahmoud Darwish and Tayeb Salih, among others. His most important works include: Mahmoud Darwish, Poet of the Occupied Land, Between Al-Maadawi and Fadwa Tuqan, and In Love with Naguib Mahfouz.