The Jericho Garden - Softcover

Rizkalla, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1499718683 ISBN 13: 9781499718683

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014

Synopsis

Kamal, son of a village postmaster, is reading economics at the University in Cairo, and living in a poverty-stricken suburb of the city. When some vital papers are wafted on an untimely breeze into a neighbouring convent garden, Kamal becomes fascinated by the spiritual power of mother Paula, the English Prioress, and strikes up an unusual relationship with her, much to the disgust and suspicion of his friend Hussein. Hussein, a wealthy fellow student, is a fierce nationalist and Muslim fundamentalist, and sees it as his task to politicise naive young Kamal, and to save him from his own lack of guile. Mother Paula is forced unwittingly to represent a Western culture that threatens yet beguiles their own. When Israeli guns on the Suez Canal destroy an oil refinery, the scene is set for an explosive confrontation in the teeming suburb. Kamal is one of the most delightful innocents in contemporary fiction and Hussein is far from being an ordinary villain. Their friendship, and their involvement with the mysterious life of the convent, blossoms and flourishes against the brilliantly effective sights and sounds, bustle and tension of Sadat’s Cairo.

About this title

About the Author

Born in Manchester, John Rizkalla is an Anglo-Egyptian who grew up in Egypt, returning to Britain to study at Manchester University. The author of many published short stories, this is his first novel. He lives in Surrey.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1499718683
• ISBN 13: 9781499718683
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 290