Super Short Summary

Midaq Alley by Naguib Mahfouz is a historical realist novel set in 1940s Cairo, focusing on the intertwined lives of residents in a vibrant market street during the British colonial occupation. The story explores themes of tradition versus modernity, love, sexuality, and class divisions through the experiences of diverse characters such as Abbas, Hamida, Saniya Afify, and others living in the vicinity. The narrative vividly depicts the personal and societal transformations of the time. The book contains discussions of public and domestic violence, sex work, and anti-LGBTQ+ themes.