Miramar - Naguib Mahfouz
Title: Miramar
Author: Naguib Mahfouz
Translated into English by Fatma Moussa Mahmoud
Publisher: Anchor Books, New York
Year published: 1993
181 pages
Set in Alexandria during a time of political and social transition in Egypt, this novel centers on a once-grand pension called Miramar, run by an aging woman named Mariana. The pension becomes a microcosm of the changing Egyptian society, bringing together characters from various backgrounds and ideologies.
At the heart of the story is Zohra, a beautiful and ambitious young peasant girl who seeks to escape poverty and traditional constraints by working at Miramar. Her presence and aspirations disrupt the lives of the pension’s residents and become a point of contention among them.
The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of four male residents—Amer Wagdi, Hosny Allam, Mansour Bahy, and Sarhan al-Beheiry—each of whom recounts events in their own voice, offering conflicting views of the people around them and revealing their personal struggles, desires, and failures.
Through these characters, the story explores themes of disillusionment, lost ideals, and the tension between the past and the future. The clash between old values and modern ambitions is depicted in both personal and political terms, reflecting broader shifts in post-revolution Egypt.
Zohra emerges as a symbol of resilience and hope. Though objectified and manipulated by the men around her, she refuses to be defeated by their betrayals and condescension.
Her determination to assert her independence stands in stark contrast to the moral weakness and confusion exhibited by the male characters. Ultimately, the novel portrays a society in flux, where the dreams of progress often collide with the realities of corruption, selfishness, and disillusionment.
Through its layered narrative and introspective voices, the novel paints a portrait of a country searching for its identity amid upheaval.
It critiques both the fading aristocracy and the flawed promise of the new order, suggesting that genuine change must come from within individuals who, like Zohra, are willing to confront hardship and forge their own paths.
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