The Harafish

Naguib Mahfouz' 1977 novel, "The Harafish," is an intriguing mix of allegory and saga. The term "harafish" refers to the large underclass of poor and downtrodden in an Egyptian city, presumably Cairo. The novel focuses upon the sufferings and the fortunes of the harafish and upon the history of a particular family, the Al-Nagis, over the course of generations. The story has a timeless quality with the author giving few details that identify either a specific place or a specific time. Yet, the novel succeeds in bringing the characters to life as individuals and in creating a sense of place. The book is told in ten chapters, each recounting successive adventures that befall the Al-Nagis. Each chapter is subdivided into many short paragraphs. The story moves forward with simplicity but becomes increasingly complex as it unfolds. There is a great deal of indirection in the book. The reader learns slowly by seeing and not by being told. Thus, Mafouz never explicitly explains the "clan" system at the heart of the book but rather shows the reader how it works. The "clan" is the informal ruler of an "alley" or section of a town. It can be analogized to an American gang or to a crime syndicate but enjoys quasi-official status. It accepts "protection" money, wars with neighboring gangs, keeps a semblance of order in the alley, and is headed by an all-powerful chief. Some of the religious leaders of the community are closely allied with the clan. The "alley" includes not only the many poor people, but rich and successful individuals as well, called the "notables". Most, but not all of the clan leaders ally themselves with the notables while exploiting the harafish. The chief character of Mafouz' tale is Ashur al-Nagi, a foundling who ultimately rises to the position of clan chief. Although he ultimately marries a prostitute and appropriates property that is not his, Ashur becomes a legend in the alley as a result of his compassion, strength, and protection of the harafish. His son, Shams-al-Din continues, for the most part, in the path of Ashur, but the family then deteriorates and its worst traits come to the fore. Its members, men and women, descend into murder, corruption and licentiousness. They move in and out of positions of power and are forever haunted by the fame of their illustrious ancestor. At the end of the book, another Ashur arises and restores and enhances upon the family name. Mahfouz' story unfolds with detail and with a deep compassion for the poor and the weak. There is a sense of human frailty and of the overriding force of change. There are several themes suggested by the story. First, there is the sense of decline, reminding me of charismatic figures who found religion or social movements which soon fall into torpitude. The story opens with something of a golden age with heroic figures and deeds. As it progresses, human life slips into the mundane. I also found in the book the suggestion that people tend

Mahfouz is not well knowin America, but should be. The Harafish is the epic novel of the al-Nagi family who rules a particular alley in Egypt over multiple generations. (The "harafish" refers to the common people of that same alley). The book's chapters each encompass a generation of leadership by some descendant of the original Ashur as-Nagi, a gentle and pure physical giant, filled with pious and spirit-filled humility. His off-spring, and theirs as well, vary widely in their emulation of this great man and their stories are fascinating and quite unique. Each story's characters are vividly painted for the reader and all of the generations their good guys and bad guys. The entire book will captivate the reader and the simplicity of the read will remind you of books you read in childhood. However, the story themes are not to be thought of as childish- but rather as timeless and transcultural. Greed, piety, fidelity, cunning, love, lust, faith, and compassion all rolled together in an easily read documentary of one family's influence on many. An absolute joy to read. Mahfouz is one of my favorites!

The rise and fall of generations in an Egyptian alley is the focus of Mahfouz's great parable. The story covers many themes, and evokes much thought while remaining extremely interesting. Arabic writing is great fun to read, and Mahfouz's story telling skills generate curiosity and a need to check out his other works.

One of the world's finest writers tracks the lineage of one Egyptian family through time beginning with Ashur Al-Nagi, a giant of a man with the elements of TRUE greatness. He becomes the greatest clan chieftain in memory. As generations go by, fewer of his virtues are passed along, while his flaws become ever-more prominent in his descendants. The pursuit of a Paradise Lost consumes his descendants for generations as they lose and sporadically regain their influence in the area. Mr. Mahfouz does throw dozens of inconsequential characters at the reader, but there are more than enough extremely interesting ones in brilliant life-stories to more than compensate and quide you through time. So much so that I had to tear myself away from it because I often found that I could not put it down. A first-class novel.

"Harafish" means "rabble" or "poor" in Cairene, and this book traces the lineage of a harafish family. From the moment that Ashur Al-Nagi is discovered as an infant by a blind holy man to his metaphysical return generations later, the story weaves the magic of everyday life into the fabric of human psychology. Each character seems so real that you'll feel as though you, too, were part of the Al-Nagi family. The story is as bittersweet as it is gentle, and it is an excellent introduction to the work of this Nobel-winning author.