Naguib Mahfouz's powerful novella unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of President Anwar Sadat's assassination in 1981. The story is not a political thriller, but a poignant exploration of the event's impact on a middle-class Cairene family. Through the interwoven perspectives of a grandfather, his grandson Elwan, and Elwan's beloved, Mahfouz masterfully dissects themes of generational conflict, disillusionment, and personal loss. The national tragedy serves as a catalyst, revealing the deep-seated anxieties and shattered dreams within the private sphere of ordinary Egyptian life, making it a profound social commentary.