By Hugh Miles
Review by Rosie Delaney
Recently, I read a remarkable book entitled ‘Playing cards in the Cairo’ written by the internationally acclaimed journalist, Hugh Miles. Initially, I began reading this book as I was interested in the writings of such a world renown and recognised author. In addition to this, I was also very interested in exploring the subject of young women living in Cairo, which this novel is based on. This book surpassed my wildest expectations and I thoroughly recommend it to readers of any level.
‘Playing Cards in Cairo’ is a non-fiction novel, the recollections of Hugh Miles time spent in the bustling and brooding metropolis of Cairo. Upon Hugh’s arrival in the Egyptian capital, he rapidly distinguishes the vast cultural differences between this North African society and his own modern British world. Whilst Europe is a widely liberal continent which beckons the concept of freedom, Egypt is in stark contrast, being a repressive nation, backward in its ideals and completely fixated on the practices of religion be it Christian or Islam.
This novel focuses on Hugh’s time spent delving into the conflicting and complex lives of Egyptian women. By playing cards with a select group of Muslim women excessively during his time in Cairo, he comes to know their innermost desires and untold secrets. A rarity for anybody in this secretive society, as women are taught to enclose and conceal their raw sentiments away from the judging eye’s of men, upon the day of their birth.
In fact, women are treated brutally and harshly in this society. For example, Yosra, an eccentric and vivacious woman of 33, must abide by her brother’s every command. She is succumbed to painful beatings and malicious threats, if she does not follow her nightly curfews or disobeys her brother’s autocratic commands. Life is bleak for these repressed women; many are grief stricken and hopeless, trapped in loveless marriages where the concepts of ‘dignity’ and ‘respect’ are virtually non-existent. Hugh Miles listens intently to these struggling women. He analyses the perplexing challenges a primitive society has set upon them. The stories they share with him are filled with melancholy and strife, yet all these pain-stricken women share the same characteristic traits of deep integrity and marvelling will power.
I would like to emphasise the fact that ‘Playing Cards in Cairo’ is a definite must-read. It broadened my mind to the troubles these Egyptian women face in our modern day world. I am now dully aware as a young European woman, that I take my simplistic human rights for granted, when these Egyptian women are permitted next to none in terms of self independence. Hugh Miles employs vivid imagery of the hectic yet somehow inviting Egyptian capital. He forced me to delve into this alien world, this compelling race of people and their perplexing way of life. Yet somehow I felt an overwhelming connection to these women, a distant reliability solely due to the novel’s sheer power and effect on my emotions. Again I would like to strongly recommend this to readers of any background or circumstance. An astounding novel rich in culture and alive with raw emotion. 10/10
Review by Rosie Delaney
Recently, I read a remarkable book entitled ‘Playing cards in the Cairo’ written by the internationally acclaimed journalist, Hugh Miles. Initially, I began reading this book as I was interested in the writings of such a world renown and recognised author. In addition to this, I was also very interested in exploring the subject of young women living in Cairo, which this novel is based on. This book surpassed my wildest expectations and I thoroughly recommend it to readers of any level.
‘Playing Cards in Cairo’ is a non-fiction novel, the recollections of Hugh Miles time spent in the bustling and brooding metropolis of Cairo. Upon Hugh’s arrival in the Egyptian capital, he rapidly distinguishes the vast cultural differences between this North African society and his own modern British world. Whilst Europe is a widely liberal continent which beckons the concept of freedom, Egypt is in stark contrast, being a repressive nation, backward in its ideals and completely fixated on the practices of religion be it Christian or Islam.
This novel focuses on Hugh’s time spent delving into the conflicting and complex lives of Egyptian women. By playing cards with a select group of Muslim women excessively during his time in Cairo, he comes to know their innermost desires and untold secrets. A rarity for anybody in this secretive society, as women are taught to enclose and conceal their raw sentiments away from the judging eye’s of men, upon the day of their birth.
In fact, women are treated brutally and harshly in this society. For example, Yosra, an eccentric and vivacious woman of 33, must abide by her brother’s every command. She is succumbed to painful beatings and malicious threats, if she does not follow her nightly curfews or disobeys her brother’s autocratic commands. Life is bleak for these repressed women; many are grief stricken and hopeless, trapped in loveless marriages where the concepts of ‘dignity’ and ‘respect’ are virtually non-existent. Hugh Miles listens intently to these struggling women. He analyses the perplexing challenges a primitive society has set upon them. The stories they share with him are filled with melancholy and strife, yet all these pain-stricken women share the same characteristic traits of deep integrity and marvelling will power.
I would like to emphasise the fact that ‘Playing Cards in Cairo’ is a definite must-read. It broadened my mind to the troubles these Egyptian women face in our modern day world. I am now dully aware as a young European woman, that I take my simplistic human rights for granted, when these Egyptian women are permitted next to none in terms of self independence. Hugh Miles employs vivid imagery of the hectic yet somehow inviting Egyptian capital. He forced me to delve into this alien world, this compelling race of people and their perplexing way of life. Yet somehow I felt an overwhelming connection to these women, a distant reliability solely due to the novel’s sheer power and effect on my emotions. Again I would like to strongly recommend this to readers of any background or circumstance. An astounding novel rich in culture and alive with raw emotion. 10/10
