About the book: 1964 / The short stories included in the collection introduce the reader to the daily life of Egypt at the beginning of the 20th century, with political and social problems. The authors take us from village to city, from a remote province where ancient Bedouin customs prevail, to the “high society” of modern Cairo, from the Alexandrian beach to the gloomy dungeons of a prison; show rich Egypt and poor Egypt, crying Egypt and laughing Egypt, Egypt clinging to old traditions and Egypt fighting for a new life. All the short stories in the collection are united by one characteristic feature - their humanistic orientation, love for people. The authors strive to emphasize the humanity in their heroes - it is in the hired killer Bayoumi, and in the poor watchman who gave his last savings to a poor man like him, and in the peasant girl who disgraced herself in the eyes of her lover only in order to save him life, and in a rich official who respected the feelings of a woman who did not love him... Humanism is the most important feature of modern Egyptian literature, which testifies to its modernity and vitality, a property that is especially important for us, because thanks to it, Egyptian writers help us understand the inner world of a modern Egyptian, his thoughts and feelings.