Meeting on the second Monday of each month and hosted byeditor, writer and founder of BookBlast Ltd, Georgia de Chamberet,The Translation Book Club discusses works of fiction in translation from around the world published in the last ten years. With the promise that the titles chosen by Georgia and Hatchards booksellers will be well-written, engaging storytelling, the book club aims to inspire reading for pleasure as well as illuminating cultures beyond our shores.
“The Quarter”
by Naguib Mahfouz, translated by Roger Allen.
Meet the people of Cairo's Gamaliya quarter. There is Nabqa, son of Adam the waterseller who can only speak truths; the beautiful and talented Tawhida who does not age with time; Ali Zaidan, the gambler, late to love; and Boss Saqr who stashes his money above the bath. A neighbourhood of demons, dancing and sweet halva, the quarter keeps quiet vigil over the secrets of all who live there.
This collection by pre-eminent Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz was recently discovered among his old papers. Found with a slip of paper titled `for publishing 1994', they are published here for the first time. Resplendent with Mahfouz's delicate and poignant observations of everyday happenings, these lively stories take the reader deep into the beating heart of Cairo.
And, for your calendars, the next meeting is on Monday 8thJuly, 6pm to discuss
“The Years” by Annie Ernaux, translated by Alison Strayer.
Please see separate Eventbrite post for further information and to buy tickets.
Tickets for this evening include £3 off the purchase of “The Years”.
