"أولاد حارتنا" (Children of Gebelawi) by Naguib Mahfouz: A Deep Dive into a Literary Masterpiece
"أولاد حارتنا" (Children of Gebelawi) is a landmark novel by Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. The novel is one of his most controversial works, exploring the themes of social justice, the human condition, and the conflict between good and evil through allegorical storytelling. Its portrayal of religious and philosophical issues led to significant controversy and even a ban in many parts of the Arab world. This article delves into the novel’s themes, character analysis, controversy, and Mahfouz's life and impact on literature. Naguib Mahfouz: A Brief Biography Born in Cairo in 1911, Naguib Mahfouz was the youngest of seven children in a middle-class family. He began writing at a young age and pursued a career in civil service, while also being deeply involved in the literary scene. His writing career spanned more than seven decades, during which he produced over 30 novels, numerous short stories, and several screenplays. Mahf...