The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street (Everyman’s Library) presents an epic journey through the lives of the Al-Sayyid family in colonial Egypt, as told by Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz. Spanning three generations and nearly a century, this trilogy delves into the struggles and transformations of a household dominated by the strict patriarch, Al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad, while revealing his hidden life of self-indulgence. In Palace Walk, readers are introduced to Amina, the gentle and oppressed wife; her daughters, Aisha and Khadija; and her three sons—Fahmy, the idealistic but tragic; Yasin, the hedonist and dissolute; and Kamal, the intellectual in search of meaning. As the world around them evolves, Palace of Desire explores how Al-Sayyid Ahmad’s children navigate their rebellion against his rule amidst the currents of modernity and political upheaval brought by the 1920s. Finally, in Sugar Street, Mahfouz brings his vibrant depiction of an evolving Egypt to a dramatic conclusion, as the aging patriarch faces the challenges posed by his grandsons—each embroiled in different fates that mirror the complex social and political changes of their time.

Through richly detailed characters and poignant narratives, Mahfouz captures both the personal struggles and the broader historical transformations of early 20th-century Egypt. Filled with compelling drama, earthy humor, and profound insight, this trilogy offers a captivating exploration of family life and societal change in one of the most pivotal periods of modern Egyptian history.

Publication Details: The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street (Everyman’s Library)
Publisher: Everyman’s Library
Dimensions: 5.29 x 2.52 x 8.28 inches
ISBN-10: 375413316
ISBN-13: 978-0375413315
Publication Date: October 16, 2001
Print Length: 1368 pages

Note: This description is provided in HTML format without any additional text or formatting that suggests the book’s physical form. The trilogy is available for readers to delve into the rich tapestry of Mahfouz’s storytelling and the complex social dynamics of early 20th-century Egypt.