The Thief and the Dogs

Author's name: Naguib Mahfouz

The Thief and the Dogs is a novel written by Naguib Mahfouz in 1961. It is considered one of his most famous novels after the trilogy. The novel represents the beginning of a new phase in Mahfouz's literature, a philosophical or intellectual phase. The novel discusses ideas of absurdity, death, the meaning of existence, and the hero's search for lost justice.

(Saeed Mahran) has just been released from prison after serving four years for a theft. His wife (Nabawiya) had left him to marry his friend and former follower (Alish Sedra). Saeed heads to Alish's house to demand to see his young daughter (Sanaa), who has disowned him, as have the couple. He takes some books and leaves the house, determined to kill both of them.

Saeed seeks refuge in the home of a Sufi (Sheikh Al-Junaidi), whom Saeed used to visit when he was young with his father. The sheikh tells him about his days in prison and the days that came before it, and the sheikh tries to give him some advice.

Then he visits a man he knew from the days when his father and mother worked at the student hostel. This man (Raouf Alwan) was studying law at the university and was kind to Saeed. He once saved him from a student's theft. Saeed finds that Raouf has changed due to his position as editor-in-chief of Al-Zahraa newspaper and leaves him full of hatred after Raouf gives him ten pounds. This visit increases Saeed's anger towards the people.

He decides to rob Raouf's luxurious palace, but he fails and is arrested. Raouf simply insults Saeed and takes back the money he gave him. He then heads to the café where he used to live with a group of friends. A conversation takes place between him, Master Tarzan, the owner of the café, and some of the customers. Saeed asks the teacher to provide him with a gun, and the teacher grants him his request. During this visit, he spots Nour, the prostitute who used to frequent the café and still does. She knew Saeed and had previously coveted his company.