We –Egyptians- are blessed with phenomenal writers who maybe gone but their prints will always remain in the Arabic literature. From Naguib Mahfouz to Ihsan Abdel Quddous, Youssef El Sebai and many more, we still can’t get enough of their books. For a long period Egyptian readers were blown away by the American and Western literature which stole them from the local writers, but a while back new authors have emerged and brought the glory back.
This list should be much longer, but let’s just start with these 11 must-read Egyptian books:
1. Utopia – Ahmed Khaled Tawfiq (2008)
It’s titled “Utopia” though it describes a dystopian world where a ferocious class conflict takes places. Also, it’s one of the rare Egyptian novels where the author creates a non-existent world. If you’re a Hunger Games fan, then this is the right novel for you.
2. 1919 – Ahmed Mourad (2014)
3. Etnin Zobat – Essam Youssef (2013)
This novel displays the life of two policemen who are poles apart. The story will unravel layers of their identities for us to understand why one is taken by the lust of power while the other is driven by a strong and sincere motivation to serve his country.
4. Wahet El-Ghoroub – Bahaa Taher (2008)
After being exiled to Siwa Oasis for his sympathy with Ahmed Ouraby’s and Gamal El Din El Afghani’s thoughts, Mahmoud and his Irish wife decided to start a calm life there. A new journey will start when they visit one of Alexander the Great’s tomb.
5. Torab el Mas – Ahmed Mourad (2010)
If you decided to go on the path of fighting corruption, then you must get your weapons ready. In Taha al-Zahar’s case, he picked diamond dust as a weapon. Be wary corrupts, he’s coming for you.
6. Ghernata Trilogy – Radwa Ashour (1994)
It’s a fascinating trilogy: the first book “Ghernata”, the second “Mariam” and the last one “Al-Rahil”. It will suck you in and keep you isolated from the world around you.
7. Hepta – Mohamed Saddek (2014)
In a six hours long lecture, the author will summarize the seven stages every couple go through in a relationship or what he prefers to call “Hepta”. This novel was recently adapted into a screenplay and still tops the box offices.
8. El Fil El Azra2 – Ahmed Mourad (2012)
It took the author two years of research to study the characteristics of the world you will fall into while reading this novel. It’s a page-turner. It has been also adapted into a screenplay and was also a major success.
9. ¼ Gram – Essam Youssef (2008)
10. Bed3 Sa3at Fi Yawmn Mah – Mohamed Saddek (2012)
11. Eza3at El A3’any – Omar Taher (2015)
Don’t be fooled by the title and think this is a light funny book. This is the best and most profound piece Omar Taher has ever written. The philosophy of the book is that while life goes by there is a background song running somewhere; so let’s listen to the song while watching life.