The Search

On her deathbed, Sabir's brothel-owning mother confesses that the government has seized all her assets. She also tells Sabir that, despite what she's always told him, his father is not dead but a prominent person in Cairo. She urges Sabir to avoid a life of crime and/or destitution by finding his father. As Sabir attempts to locate his father, he meets two women -- one offering riches and immediate gratification; the other a more innocent person who believes in the best of Samir.

This is a story of obsession. Sabir was obsessed with his mother, and continues to seek salvation through women. He is also obsessed with finding his father and embarking on a new path -- so much so, that he delays doing anything to make his life better or show more sustainable in the short term.

Very well written, with levels of meaning that left me thinking. show less

One of my tacit resolutions each year is to experience more Naguib Mahfouz and Satyajit Ray. Such high hopes are often neglected and die in vain before Easter. I picked up The Search and a number of other lesser titles by Mahfouz and other Egyptian writers a few years ago and this week appeared ideal for at least a single sortie.

The Search is noir, Egyptian noir and well worth anyone's time. A madame's son buries his mother in Alexandria. She had been released from prison the previous day, broken by her experience. She tells her son that the state is confiscating the brothel and all her assets, nearly all their assets. The privileged life he had previously enjoyed is now over except, she notes, there is a single unexplored development. show more His father is not dead, as she had previously told him and is living rather well in Cairo. Thus the novel begins with the son completes his graveside duties and then heading to Cairo where he discovers a trademark romantic triangle involving a Siren of sorts. A slippery slope ensues, one which John Garfield memorably strode. Well crafted, this isn't any simple genre exercise but rather an examination of the Cairo of 60s and its tensions and diversity. show less

من أروع ما كتب نجيب محفوظ عن الرغبة والطمع الكفيلين بأن يكونا سببين قويين للقتل. تمثل رواية "الطريق" نقداً قاسياً للواقع المرير الذي شهدته مصر بعد الثورة ولتفشي الفساد بين الأوساط الإجتماعية المختلفة للشعب المصري بأسلوب روائي شيق

A taut drama about desperation and obsession. Choices made and reasons why unfold throughout until the final desperate act is carried out. I couldn't help but think that in Hitchcock's hands, this would have made a great film. Excellent story and storytelling.

"We sometimes go chasing something, and during the chase we come across the thing we are really looking for."

Als de moeder van de hoofdpersoon van "De dwaaltocht" komt te overlijden raadt ze haar zoon aan om op zoek te gaan naar zijn vader. Hij doet dat, eerst in Alexandrië waar hij woont, en als dat niets oplevert in Caïro. Daar trekt hij in in een hotel en krijgt een relatie met een vrouw van een ander.
"De dwaaltocht" is een goed geschreven (en vertaalde) roman maar toch niet van hetzelfde niveau als de Caïro-trilogie die ik eerder van Mahfoez heb gelezen.

Una mujer en su lecho de muerte hace prometer a su hijo que buscará a su padre, del cual el hijo no concocía la existencia. Sabir, el protegonista, viaja a El Cairo y allí recorre la ciudad en busca del padre que abandonó a su madre.