The Map of Love

Ahdaf Soueif


The author is Egyptian and Doreen bought this book because she is going on holiday to Egypt. In spite of glowing reviews quoted on the cover and inclusion on the shortlist for the '99 Booker prize Doreen found this book "a bit of a mess". It contains two stories: one is about a young English widow who goes to Egypt, is kidnapped, falls in love with her kidnappers brother and rides across the desert on a camel with him. "Very Mills and Boon". The second story is very difficult to follow - the author seems to expect the reader to know about nineteenth century Egyptian politics. Doreen didn't know much more about Egypt after reading this book. Not recommended.

Carolyn disagreed - she really enjoyed this book, including the romance and the politics.
Doreen 25/8/02


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