[heidiadonis]

I have read Three Novels of Ancient Egypt: Khufu's Wisdom, Rhadopis of Nubia, Thebes at War by Mahfouz. The first one is about power, the second about love, and the third about war. He seems to write mostly about the glorious ancient Egypt, while Alaa Al Aswany's Chicago tells of the modern Egypt. Strangely I am more familiar with the ancient Egypt than the present Egypt, which is why I appreciated Chicago better.

Chicago is a story of Egyptian medical students in Chicago doing study abroad, some of who decided to settle in the states and so well-integrated into life in America while others adhered to Egyptian ways of life even abroad. I was mostly shocked, though expected, how minority Coptic Christians are treated differently among the affluent majority Muslims who hold the power and take control of the country including the educational institutions. It is as informative as Kite Runner, maybe not as impressive.

Rhadopis is a high courtesan with a striking beauty compared with that of Pandora's, with whom the young handsome Pharaoh, who is also as beautiful as Adonis or Narcissus, falls madly in love. Let me stop here so as not to spoil anymore. I enjoyed reading the conversations of philosophers, high ranking government officers, artists, poets in the court of Rhadopis.

I look forward to reading The Yacoubian Building.