In a captivating narrative journey, we travel back in time to an era long past, guided by the seventy-year-old man, Haider bin Zar’a al-Nil, as he takes us on a tour through the stories and tales he has collected throughout his life. Haider, born in Nyala, southern Egypt, endured the trauma of being kidnapped with his brother, Hamza, during their childhood, a tragedy that led their father to leave his home and move to Cairo in search of them. In Cairo, Haider developed a deep love for the land of Egypt and raised his children with the values of dignity and self-respect.

Through the generations, we follow the story of Haider, his son Kafi, and his grandchildren, delving into the mystery of the Nile and the beauty of the valley. Along the way, we meet his friends and acquaintances, and through their eyes, we witness scenes from the time when the Mamluks ruled under Ottoman sovereignty, culminating in the significant event of Muhammad Ali Pasha’s rise to power and his infamous massacre of the Mamluks, historically known as the Cairo Citadel Massacre.

The narrative immerses us deeply into these events as experienced by the people of that time, where we encounter Sheikh al-Jabarti, roam the alleys and streets, and stop at the gates of the Citadel to uncover what happened before and after the massacre. The novel is written in a powerful and contemporary language for that period, with a detailed and vivid account that brings the events to life as if you were watching them unfold. The dramatic plot is engaging and contains elements of romance.

This remarkable novel breathes life into a historical event that many know only by name, skillfully crafting the characters with precision and artistry.

_ Ayman Ragab Taher