Naguib Mahfouz was born on December 11, 1911, in Cairo, Egypt. Mahfouz grew up in a city that would later become the backdrop for his most celebrated works, the Cairo Trilogy. His family was part of the middle class, and Mahfouz’s father was a civil servant. The young Mahfouz was a keen reader from an early age, delving into the works of both classical Arabic literature and European novels, which he often borrowed from his father’s extensive library. In 1930, Mahfouz enrolled at the University of Cairo, where he studied philosophy. His exposure to diverse philosophical ideas and literary traditions during this period significantly shaped his intellectual outlook. In the midst of this academic pursuit, he began to experiment with writing, producing short stories and essays. In 1934, Mahfouz published his first collection of short stories, titled Whispers of Madness, which marked the commencement of his literary career.

The Cairo Trilogy, which includes Palace Walk (1956), Palace of Desire (1957), and Sugar Street (1957), stands as Mahfouz’s most famous work. The trilogy provides an intimate and intricate portrayal of the al-Jawad family against the backdrop of Cairo during the first half of the 20th century. The first novel in the trilogy introduces the al-Jawad family, led by the patriarch

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