The Journey of Ibn Fattouma

Ibn Fattouma, or Quindil as his father called him, is about to depart for the quest of the land of Gebel, a place considered by many to be a miracle of countries, perfection itself, because the world seems to him loathsomely jaundiced and not to be born or lived in. Quindil's long journey to Gebel will take him to different countries: the land of Mashriq, land of Haira, land of Halba, land of Aman and land of Ghuroub. Each of these countries shows social and political institutions similar to the ones we know, be it a kingdom, a democracy or a totalitarian regime and with much humour Mr Mahfouz depicts in a fairytale like prose the absurdities of each system. The last chapter is called The Beginning because after visiting five lands, Gebel finally comes into view far in the distance on top of the Green Mountain and Quindil is about to ascend its winding path.

Travel with Ibn Fattouma as he searches for a Utopia planning to return home to Medieval Cairo with lessons for his homeland. Visits with different societies, with different governments and the wise men who define and idealize `their' systems also show failures from wars and inequities as our `hero' visits and twice finds loves to settle in with local wives and families. Less monothematic than Voltaire's Dr. Pangloss in Candide, the story has some of the same broad strokes and encourages pause for reflection. We learn he will likely reach the goal of his quest but will never know whether he chose to stay or was unable to return to teach his homeland. We reflect on the character of our own state and life. All is not for the best in the best of all possible worlds (with apologies to Dr. Pangloss).

Ibn Fattouna flees around the world, living in all sorts of political systems, but all systems fail because of war. This book is a magnificent political parable, exemplified by the tragic destiny of one man and his household. A masterpiece.

It is a wonderful masterpiece as 1984. Great comparison of cultures! You get more than what you pay for it.

"The son of fatouma" leaves his home, which he descries as a middle ages cairo (when cairo was a beacon of civilisation in an ignorant world), but the lands he sees are belief systems the author contrives: take mashreq or "eastern land" the first, with it's nudism, paganism and tribal culture, africa? then the hayra or "confused or frustrated land" where everything from the customs office to the work system is highly suggestive of East block communism. Finally is the libertine (like mashreq) yet ordered (like hayra) hilba ( an egyptian sweet made up of many mixed ingredients, a melting pot if you will) where the muslims drink wine, suggestive of america. Ibn Fatouma choses none of these in the end, and goes on to utopia (gebel or mountain), stopping on the way to "cleanse" himself at the land of the tree, a suggestively bhuddist like area, before :heaven? what will? what should?