A twelve-year
old boy returns to his village from school in Cairo to find the community torn
by feud and fear. A corrupt official has decreed the fields must be irrigated
in five days, instead of the customary ten - a demand that threatens to disrupt
the economy and life of the whole village. But rebellion is contrary to their
traditional attitude of servility and easy-going natures. It takes many
attempts - some disastrous, others comical and touching - before they can
organise anything like an effective resistance. Working together, the young,
old, men and women in the village discover that despite high
rents, low wages, a greedy ruling-class, and attractive distractions, if you
are faithful to the land, it will care for you. Egyptian Earth was first published in 1954, when almost one million Egyptians besieged Nasser in Abdin
Palace, protesting the military dictatorship and demanding land reforms. An epic drama of great power, this
compassionate and humorous tale of defiance is a masterpiece of modern Arabic
literature.