Radobis by Naguib Mahfouz

About the novel: The last historical stage novel by Naguib Mahfouz, characterized by its political dimensions shedding light on contemporary Egyptian realities. It explores the Pharaoh's relationship with religious and temporal authorities and interactions with public dissent, within the context of his illicit affair with Radobis. From the start, Mahfouz describes Egyptian streets in the novel as resembling modern Egyptian streets. Discussions among dignitaries about politics in Radobis mirror political conversations in the Trilogy, for instance. The reader cannot erase the 1940s era from their mind while reading Radobis, as Radobis’s salon partially resembles those of the forties. The term Prime Minister and the eternal conflict between the beloved Prime Minister and the King are clear indications and reflections on Mahfouz's era.