Mahi Wasfy

A wealthy Cairo high school in the late 1990s is an interesting time and place to capture. By presenting the points of view of both a veiled teacher and senior planning to study abroad, the novel describes the lives of Egyptians as they deal with yet another round of cultural domination, this time Western styles embodied by computers, fast food, pop music, money, and English. The details of daily life are great, but the slang is clunky, and the style is overearnest and preachy. But for those who find the two main characters compelling, there is a sequel: On the Brink of the Nile.… (més)

coming-of-age, family-dynamics, fanatics, friendship, egypt, contemporary, education

Maha is just starting university in Egypt with a goal of moving to Europe but it has had a very negative effect on her self image. She is accustomed to working hard and achieving excellent grades, now it seems that's not good enough and is complicated by a mandatory course in Arabic which is impossible as she cannot speak or read or write in the language. Her friends seem to be focused on getting married and one has even taken to wearing the burkha while Maha just wants to become educated and leave. Tough times ahead.
Mrs Magda is an educated woman who is a child and family advocate who is now encountering problems in the schools in the form of radicalized teachers promoting their agenda to early grade children. These are the months just after the events in the US and things seem to be going horribly wrong for Arabs both outside and inside the Middle East.
The entwined stories of these two women and their struggles resonate within each of us.
This is an excellent book!
I entered and won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway.… (més)