The tumultuous alley of this rich and intricate novel (first published in Arabic in 1959) is inhabited by adelightfulEgyptian family, but is also the setting fora second, hidden, and more daring narrative- the spiritual history of humankind.The men and women of a modern Cairo neighborood unwittingly reenact the lives of their holy ancestors- from thefeudal lord who disowns one son for diabolical pride and puts another to the test, to the savior of a succeeding generation who frees his people from bondage.This powerfulnovel confirms again the richness and variety of Mahfouz’s storytelling and his status as the single most important writer in modern Arabic literature (Newsweek).