The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised)

By: Naguib Mahfouz

Narrated by: Omar Sharif

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Omar Sharif leads an all-Egyptian cast in this three-part drama, recorded entirely in Egypt's capital.

Adapted from the novels of Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz, this gripping family saga chronicles the life of a downwardly-mobile middle class family as Egypt emerges from colonialism and adjusts to the modern world.

The Cairo Trilogy traces three generations of the family of tyrannical patriarch Al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad, who rules his household with a strict hand while living a secret life of self-indulgence. We are introduced to his gentle, oppressed wife, Amina, his cloistered daughters, Aisha and Khadija, and his three sons-the tragic and idealistic Fahmy, the dissolute hedonist Yasin, and the soul-searching intellectual Kamal. As his rebellious children struggle to move beyond his domination, the world around them opens to the currents of modernity and political and domestic turmoil brought by the 1920s.

Throughout the trilogy, the family's trials mirror those of their turbulent country during the years spanning the two World Wars, as change comes to a society that has resisted it for centuries.

Cast:
Old Kamal...........Omar Sharif
Young Kamal.......Karim Fouda
Kamal............Amr Waked
Al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawab.....Ihab Sakkout
Amina..............Caroline Khalil
Fahmy..............Mena Reda
Yasin................Tamer Nasrat
Miriam..............Ola Roshdy
Aida...............Shirine El Ansari
Zanuba...........Maryam El Khoshed
Zubayda..........Zeinab Moubarak
Ahmad................Sedky Sakhar
Munim.................Ahmed Nour
Sawsan...............Dina Nadim
Badur..................Radwa Elgabry
Other cast members: Rena Malak, Yara Goubran, Nairy Avedissian, Ekram Zalat, Sherif Nour, Salah Fahmy, Yeve Youssef, Saymaa Shalan, Mika Thabet, Hany Seef, Hugh Sowden.

Dramatised by Ayeesha Menon
Directed by John Dryden
Music by Sacha Puttnam
A Goldhawk Production for BBC Radio 4

©2007 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2007 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"This is a Sony award-winning production of the late Naguib Mahfouz's saga set in Cairo from 1917 to 1953, during the rise of nationalism and the beginnings of Islamic fundamentalism. A patriarchal family, a mirror of Egypt itself, has monstrous father al-Sayyid Ahmad at its head. His sons rail against the tyrannical love and tradition in the family and ally themselves to the dangerous upheavel outside. Recorded in Cairo and crammed with the tumultous sounds and voices of a city in crisis, the dramatisation is brilliant. Its brightest star is the plangent, soulful voice of Omar Sharif as al-Sayyid Ahmad." (Observer)

5 out of 5 if you've read atleast the first book!

I only stress reading the first book because if not the details of the book aren't easy to keep up with. However if you have read the first book, this interpretation of the book is amazing. The actors get a 5 out of 5, the music is also a 5 out of 5. Brilliant story, and omar sharif on top of everything just takes the book over the top. Naguib Mahfouz is a genius, nothing short of it

A pleasant abridged version with a cast of stars.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised) to be better than the print version?

I would not, since this version reduces each book to an hour long dramatized version. But this is still great work in my opinion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised)?

There were many, it was particularly enjoyable how the Egyptian cast of voice actors would throw in Egyptian words in their conversations aside of the English script. And it was also enjoyable how there was always famous music playing the background, and it was always different, and sometimes they would sing it.

Which character – as performed by Omar Sharif – was your favorite?

Omar Sharif only played the narrator, which although was excellently played, he did not dominate the scene. However, the cast was still fun to listen to, many of them famous Egyptian stars.

If you could take any character from The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised) out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Omar Sharif's character was the most sincere and relatable. Romantic, wise and educated, and with age he gained wisdom.

Any additional comments?

Summary: Although this is no replacement for the original texts, which I would love to have available on Audible, this is still a fun, short and enjoyable listen.

Abridged Story Ages Badly

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, it was not worth my time. The material selected left out the most important parts of the story.

Has The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised) turned you off from other books in this genre?

Think I will stick with complete readings.

Did The Cairo Trilogy (Dramatised) inspire you to do anything?

Over melodramatic had the quality of a soap opera.

Perfect

It was very interesting. I really enjoyed it
The sounds are very good, and the novel itself is amazing how the writer draws every character.
I loved it and I sure will recommend it to friends. I hope to find more Naguib Mahfouz audio books soon :)

The WORST

This is without a doubt the worst thing I’ve ever listened to on Audible. I had purchased the first volume of the trilogy and listened on Audible, It was brilliant. The second two volumes were not available on Audible so I purchased this “reenactment.” It was really terrible. Huge sections and story lines were left out. The characters were not true to the books. If I could have given it zero stars I would have.