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Original poster

Novels set in Egypt?

33 replies

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 30/03/2008 10:10

On my hols next week to Egypt and would like to get some topical audio books to read whilst there. I have the Levant trilogy by olivia Manning and Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell - any other suggestions?

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 30/03/2008 10:13

The Yacqobian Building (sorry about the spelling!)

pukka · 30/03/2008 10:14

err, see the isghts?
enjoy being in another country?

JackieNo · 30/03/2008 10:16

Very light mysteries - Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series? (kind of Agatha Christie-ish, but written recently)

JackieNo · 30/03/2008 10:29

Some suggestions here.

JackieNo · 30/03/2008 10:30

And here (no idea how many of these are available as audio books mind you).

hedgehog1979 · 30/03/2008 10:44

Christian Jacques writes really well about the ancient egyptians.
The Memoirs of Cleopatra is also fantastic but I cannot remember who it is by, sorry

justagirlfromedgware · 30/03/2008 11:54

I highly recommend "Moon Tiger" by Penelope Lively.

Onlyaphase · 30/03/2008 11:57

Memoirs of Cleopatra is indeed a fantastic book written by Margaret George. Much the best thing she has written IMO

Also for lighter reading, try Wilbur Smith's River God (is the first one of three I think) set in ancient Egypt

slim22 · 30/03/2008 12:32

For authentic contemporary voices:

-Map of Love and In the eye of the sun both by Ahdaf Souheif

  • Any Naguib Mahfouz
  • Yacoubian Building
Original poster
MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 30/03/2008 18:50

many thanks!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
justabout · 30/03/2008 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gagarin · 30/03/2008 18:55

And me - The Cairo Trilogy...just fab

janeite · 30/03/2008 21:14

Another vote for the Amelia Peabody mysteries - they are a hoot - like The Famous Five for adults. They are real no-effort reading and I think the author is probably a bit of a daft old cat lady but they are really good fun.

ahundredtimes · 30/03/2008 21:16

Death on the Nile

No really, Mahfouz is the man.

yogabird · 30/03/2008 21:18

map of love - yes!

also Iris & Ruby here it's a really good read

marina · 30/03/2008 21:20

Second the Yacoubian Building

also

Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie, an interesting murder mystery set in ancient Egypt

Original poster
MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 31/03/2008 18:17

Thanks to all - have ordered the Amelia Peabody and Penelope Lively (as we are very tight on luggage am jettisoning some clothes to pack 'em in - who needs knickers on hols anyway?

OP posts:
saadia · 31/03/2008 18:29

Definitely Naguib Mahfouz and Yusuf Idris.

Joash · 31/03/2008 23:33

Very Light - Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine

dingdong05 · 31/03/2008 23:38

Map of Love is a good un

themonkeykeeper · 02/04/2008 16:36

Would also recommend Map of Love

mum2oneloudbaby · 02/04/2008 16:53

how about wilbur smith river god ancient egypt v. gripping

MadameCh0let · 03/04/2008 16:49

Barbara Erskine wrote something set in Egypt.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 03/04/2008 16:52

You already have Penelope Lively's Moontiger, but I love her memoir, Oleander Jacaranda, about her childhood in Alexandria.

suwoo · 03/04/2008 16:59

Yogabird, I see you enjoyed Iris & Ruby. My mum did and recommended it to me, I found it a little slow and boring.

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