A Land Like You

In 1925, Cairo's Haret al-Yahud, the old Jewish Quarter, is home to Esther, a beautiful young woman believed to be possessed by demons, and Zohar, the narrator. Esther participates in Muslim zar rituals to conceive, and Zohar is nursed by a Muslim peasant believed to be possessed. A Land Like You is a historical novel that blends spirit possession, religious mysticism, and British occupation of Egypt with fictional characters such as Gamel Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and King Farouk.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

A captivating and insightful narrative unfolds, showcasing Egypt's intricate dance between tradition, modernity, multiculturalism, and nationalism, as well as the juxtaposition of oppression and freedom. Set in the vibrant Haret al-Yahud, the ancient Jewish Quarter of Cairo in 1925, the story revolves around Esther, a captivating young woman believed to be possessed by demons. Despite her seven years of blissful marriage, Esther yearns to give birth, driven by an unyielding desire to start a family. In her quest to conceive, Esther embarks on a series of Muslim zar rituals, where she seeks the blessings and guidance of the divine. However, her husband, who has been blind since childhood, remains oblivious to her actions, as he is consumed by his own world of darkness. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, the novel's narrator, Zohar, enters the world. Born to a Muslim peasant believed to be possessed, Zohar is nursed by the same woman who has just given birth to a girl named Masreya. Suckled at the same breasts and bound by a rabbi's amulet, the milk-twins form an unlikely bond, united by a passionate and earth-shaking love. A Land Like You seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, realism, and historical context, drawing upon the profound knowledge of ethno-psychiatrist Tobie Nathan. Nathan's expertise in North African folk beliefs infuses the narrative with a shimmering tapestry of spirit possession, religious mysticism, and sober realities about the British occupation of Egypt and the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Free Officers Movement. Historical figures like Gamel Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and King Farouk intermingle with Nathan's fictional characters, creating an engaging and captivating story that delves into the complexities of a nation's identity and the forces that shape its destiny.

Dimension: 9 x 6 x 1 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803091969