Reviews

This collection of vignettes gives an interesting snapshot onto life in a modern Cairo neighbourhood, filled with life, humour and a sense of magical realism. The Quarter is definitely best read through: individually, some of the stories lack impact, but together they take on an almost mythic quality.

*Thank you to ThePigeonhole.com for sharing this story!*

coriandercake's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5

Very intriguing but the stories (they're more like vignettes) were too short occasionally, a fact highlighted by the shortness of the book overall. It is, however, a collection of stories discovered posthumously

alexniehans's review

Go to review page

mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

harinid's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I picked up this book having read an article about the lost stories by Mahfouz, a nobel prize winning author; expecting vivid captivating narratives of Cairo. Not sure if it was lost in translation but the language left much to be desired. The collection of short stories felt more like a collection of superstitions held by the residents of the quarter without really exposing the value system leading to the same.