Playing Cards In Cairo (Book Review)
Playing Cards in Cairo (High Miles) was written in 2008, three years before the Egyptian Revolution that saw the overthrow of the Hosni Mybarak Regime. It paints a grim picture of Cairo post Sadat and after decades of Mubarak. Interestingly enough, the author wonders what event would trigger a revolution in Egypt. This event ended up being “The Arab Spring”.
Playing Cards in Cairo is about the intimate lives of 4 women friends in modern Egypt. Their lives seem stuck between modernity (walking around unveiled, choosing suitors, higher education and having jobs) and Muslim conservatism (patriarchy and devotion to religion). In addition to day to day workings of these women’s lives, the author gives insights of the Egyptian government and the rebel Muslim Brotherhood movement.
I found the book very interesting; one had the feeling of visiting and interacting with Muslim family members as the author had done. I also found it a good primer for reading a bit more about Egypt. It left me curious about Egypt’s political history, the collapse of their agricultural sector, the Muslim Brotherhood and social aspects such as decline of permissiveness among Egyptians over the years (especially women).
It is also a light read. It took me about 3 days to finish its 276 pages that are divided into short chapters, making it very easy to read.
I’d recommend Playing Cards in Egypt if you are taking a break from a heavy read or are traveling and are looking to read something educative but not too absorbing.
I bought my copy at BooksFirst Meru for Kshs 895, you can also get a copy on Amazon.
