I have been wanting to read this book for the past two years, but I couldn’t find an English copy here in Amman or online. However, I did find it in Dubai.
This is the first paper book I had read since 2010 when I first got my iPad.
Due to the long periods spent on the roads and the distances involved, I couldn’t find it in a local bookstore. So, one weekend, when it was not too hot, I called a few bookstores and finally located it at Magrudy’s Jumeira branch. Due to traffic, it was about an hour and a half away. I asked them to reserve it for me and told them I would be there in a couple of hours.
The drive was long but worth the effort. I remember an African employee there telling me this book was really good.
The book was an excellent read. Set in Egypt, it tells the story of the monk Hypa, who travels through Egypt, falls in love, and experiences the scent of a woman. It also explores his internal battle and the politics and religion of that era.
As interesting as the book was, I particularly enjoyed the parts about Hypa. The sections that revolved around religion and politics were less engaging for me, as I have read many books on those topics and didn’t find anything new.
Throughout the book, I kept thinking about how difficult it is to choose solitude, reclusion, and devotion to God as a monk instead of marrying and living life like any normal person.
This book is a must-read. A friend of mine says, “#1 is ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’, #2 is ‘Azazeel’ in my all-time favourite books.” I have to agree.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any quotes from the book since it was a hard copy.
Doomish:
Brave, courageous, and bold.
Long live his fame,
and long live his glory.
May his worthless posts long be told.
