Naguib Mahfouz: The Original and the Image

Author: Hassan Abdel Mawgoud

"Over the years, the gossip of literary circles created a fixed image of Naguib Mahfouz as an ideal, disciplined employee, and an ordinary person who settled into a monotonous and boring life, devoid of adventure, unusual situations, or harsh trials, with the exception of his assassination attempt. This image, though untrue, became believed after being passed from mouth to mouth, and ear to ear. However, the stories in this book, narrated by Naguib Mahfouz himself, restore the image to its origin, showing us an exciting world he was part of, and revealing that he possessed multiple, incredible facets, which he long concealed beneath the calm and neutral veneer of his public persona. Mahfouz lived life to the fullest, experiencing good and bad relationships, enduring meanness and pain, and finding himself – more than once – alone at a crossroads, where he had to choose the right path to avoid faltering. This book is an enjoyable biography written by Hassan Abdel Mawgoud, embodying Naguib Mahfouz's personality and language, holding his pen to give you an unparalleled and engaging reading experience!