Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff

In a nutshell: Interesting travelogue evocative of modern Egypt but lacking some depth.

Rosemary Mahoney does an excellent job of depicting the experience of being a foreigner, especially a woman, in Egypt. The overly helpful and solicitous Egyptians who ask a lot of questions and the overly familiar (bordering on inappropriate) comments of Egyptian men who seem to look on foreign women as an entity wholly “other” from Egyptian or other Muslim women are perfectly captured here. I visited Egypt in 2007 – business in Cairo and then a short vacation cruising up the Nile from Luxor to Aswan – and Mahoney’s narrative brought back many memories. (If interested, I’ve posted some photos on the gallery in my profile.)

The book is about show more the author’s attempt to row down the Nile from Aswan to Qena, and the difficulties inherent for an American woman in doing so – from trying to buy a boat to avoiding the authorities who would prevent her from making the trip. She intersperses the story with excerpts from, and reflections on, the letters and diaries of other visitors to Egypt, most notably Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert in the 19th century. She also includes stories of her previous visits to Egypt and its various tourist destinations.

I enjoyed this book mostly because of my own experience in the country and because I could draw parallels between her impressions and mine. I think the book would also be a good source for understanding parts of Egyptian culture for people planning to travel there (current turmoil not withstanding). I expected it to be more of a memoir, to provide insight into Mahoney’s impulse to attempt a difficult journey, and to gain a better understanding of who she is and what drives her. Instead, the book is more of a straight travelogue with occasional insights into what she gained from the experience. And in that sense, the book was somewhat of a disappointment. But there were wonderful parts that certainly made it worth reading – especially the relationship she develops with Amr, a Nubian falucca (the traditional sail boat) captain who assists her at the start of her endeavor. As a person who has been blessed to travel far and wide and to a variety of interesting places, I liked and agreed with her final sentences: “Travel never makes one cheerful. But it makes one thoughtful. It washes one’s eyes and clears away the dust.” show less

Mahoney suffers the indignity of being a women in Egypt trying to be an independent woman seeking solitude while rowing. She is very adept at describing the Egyptian / Nubian culture in regards to the inferior status of women and the struggle for local men to make a living in a poor country. She also brings in history and quotes of earlier European travelers to Egypt in the 19th century. She writes wonderfully.

I read this book while cruising down the Nile in the same area as the author. I think this greatly enhanced my appreciation of the book.

This is the story of an American woman who wants to row down the Nile on her own in 2007. She tells about her challenges in buying a boat, and in trying to travel alone as a woman. Her conversations with Egyptians were so entertaining and demonstrated cultural differences so well. Interspersed with her own adventures were the stories of others who had traveled down the Nile in earlier times, including Flaubert and Florence Nightingale.

Interesting but peculiar but then some people love to do particular things. She writes well And I think she's truthful. Also no one would think her trip so peculiar if she was a man. She probably wouldn't be able to find a publisher!

I'm fairly shocked that this book got good reviews. People keep asking the author why she is rowing the Nile and she states "there is no why". And there really is no why. She does not appear to enjoy the rowing, what she is seeing, or the people she meets.

4844. Down the Nile Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff. by Rosemary Mahoney (read 3 Aug 2011) This is a 2007 book by an American woman who decides she wants to row on the Nile alone. It is quite an ordeal getting set up to do so. and in telling about it she includes much information on the Nile and its history and on others who have traveled the Nile, including Flaubert and Florence Nightingale (both in 1849). While it seems a bit weird to want to do it alone, one has to admire her determination. She spices her account a bit by telling of her conversations with Egyptian men, who often talk to her about sex. The book finishes with a vivid account of her being scared by an Egyptian man. With a strong finish, I decided this book was entitled to show more four stars rather than the three I was planning to give it. show less

I had the good fortune of visiting Egypt in May. Down the Nile was one of the books I read before we left on our trip. It helped to paint a picture of the place we were going to visit and the kinds of people and attitudes that we would encounter. Rosemary Mahoney's observations were spot on. I highly recommend this book, especially if you plan to travel in the Arab world.