Rhadopis of Nubia

Zusatztext “Mahfouz’s characters blaze with intensity! his Egypt pulsates with unresolved tensions.” – The Atlanta Constitution “Through works rich in nuance–now clear-sightedly realistic! now evocatively ambiguous–Mahfouz has formed an Arabian narrative art that applies to all mankind.” –The Swedish Academy! The Nobel Prize in Literature “Mahfouz’s novels provide a voice for his culture.” – The Denver Post “He is not only a Hugo and a Dickens! but also a Galsworthy! a Mann! a Zola and a Jules Romains.” –Edward Said ! London Review of Books Informationen zum Autor Naguib Mahfouz Klappentext Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz mines the riches of his homeland's ancient past in Rhadopis of Nubia, an unforgettable love story set against the high politics of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty. While the ravishing courtesan Rhadopis is bathing, a falcon lifts one of her golden sandals and drops it into the lap of the Pharaoh Merenra II. Upon hearing Rhadopis described as "beauty itself," the young pharaoh decides to return Rhadopis's sandal himself. When the two meet, they are immediately seized by a passion far stronger than their ability to resist. Thus begins a love affair that makes them the envy of Egyptian society. But blinded by their love and the extravagant attentions they lavish on each other, they ignore the growing resentment of the world around them in this extraordinary tale of star-crossed love.The Festival of the Nile The first light of dawn peered over the eastern horizon that morning in the month of Bashans, more than four thousand years ago. The high priest of the temple of the god Sothis gazed at the vast expanse of sky with tired eyes, for he had not slept the whole night. Finding the object of his surveillance, his eyes lit upon Sirius, the auspicious star, its light twinkling in the heart of the firmament. His face glowed with jubilation and his heart quivered with joy. He prostrated himself on the hallowed floor of the temple and gave thanks, crying out at the top of his voice that the image of the god Sothis had appeared in the heavens, announcing to the inhabitants of the valley the glad tidings of the sacred River Nile's inundation. It was a message from His merciful and compassionate hands. The beautiful voice of the high priest woke the sleeping populace and they rose joyfully from their beds. They turned their faces to the sky until their eyes fixed upon the sacred star, and they repeated the incantation of the priest, their hearts awash with gratitude and delight. They left their houses and hurried to the bank of the Nile to witness the first ripples, bearers of bounty and good fortune. The voice of the priest of Sothis resounded through Egypt's still air, announcing the good news to the South: "Come celebrate the holy festival of the Nile!" And they tied up their belongings and set off, great and humble alike, from Thebes and Memphis, Harmunet and Sout and Khamunu, all heading for the capital Abu, in chariots speeding down the valley and boats plowing the billows. Abu was the capital of Egypt. Its lofty structures were set upon huge slabs of granite, and the sand dunes in between them, long since tamed by the wondrous silt of the Nile, were awash with greenness and fertility. Acacia and doum trees grew there, as well as date palms and mulberries, and the fields were planted with herbs and vegetables and clover. There were vines in abundance and pastures and gardens watered by bubbling streams where flocks grazed. Pigeons and doves circled in the sky. The scent of flowers drifted on the fresh breeze and the chirping of nightingales mingled harmoniously with the songs of myriad birds. In only a few days, Abu and its two islands, Biga and Bilaq, were packed with visitors. Houses filled up with guests and tents crowded the public squares. Throngs of people moved thr...

Product details

• Authors: Naguib Mahfouz, Naguib/ Calderbank Mahfouz
• Assisted by: Anthony Calderbank (Translation)
• Publisher: Anchor Books USA
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 08.03.2005
• EAN: 9781400076680
• ISBN: 978-1-4000-7668-0
• No. of pages: 240
• Dimensions: 134 mm x 203 mm x 16 mm
• Subject: Fiction > Narrative literature