📚 Glimpses of a life: Published in 1972 and later translated into English in 1977, Mirrors sees literary icon Naguib Mahfouz sketch an array of vignettes, recounting the tales of various individuals inspired by the people he’s met throughout his life. The novel places the human experience at the center of the narrative, structured into chapters each titled after a particular character — from university professors and unruly neighbors to peculiar friends and past lovers.

Like gossip? You’ll love mirrors. It doesn’t take long for the reader to realize that Mirrors is a departure from Mafouz’s usual style. In what many consider a masterclass in literary gossip, the narrator reveals the private, intimate details of people encountered in real life — personal judgement included.

As is expected from Mahfouz, these vignettes are used as a launchpad for sociopolitical commentary. The reader is taken on a trip through time, navigating the milestones of modern Egyptian history — from the 1919 revolution and the fall of the Egyptian monarchy all the way to the aftermath of the 1967 war. Through his characters, Mahfouz reflects on the shifting tides of society and the evolution of its people and places, all delivered with his signature precision and eloquent writing.

Mirrors is a beautifully complex map of Egyptian lives. The characters are tied together through a web of connections — friends, spouses, and acquaintances — yet the novel remains remarkably simple. Never dull and at just under 250 pages, Mirrors is the kind of novel you’ll want to pick up this weekend to immerse yourself in the nuances of Egyptian society.

WHERE TO GET IT- The novel is available in Arabic at Diwan, and the Arabic e-book is available at no cost on Hindawy. Keep an eye out on Diwan and Shorouk for a restock of the English version. You can also place a special order for the English version from The Bookspot.

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