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The End of Sleep: A Novel
In this exuberant, transformative tale of modern-day Cairo, a drunken Irish journalist named Fin seeks a story. His friend Farouk, mercurial teller of tales, has tantalized him with news of the wily Skinhead Said, who may or may not have discovered a cache of priceless antiquities. But the truth remains elusive—not until they both travel to proverbial hell and back, courtesy of a thuggish kebab-shop tycoon and his brutal retinue. Once Fin finds a way to save his friend's life, and baba ghanoush is properly made, and other necessities of life are observed, then stories may be spun and secrets reluctantly revealed.With Irish wit and passion, Rowan Somerville crafts a novel full of earthy humor, sensual pleasure, spiritual yearning, and delayed satisfaction—a Pilgrim's Progress of a modern, Western soul, seeking (and finding) itself in a foreign land.
256 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 11, 2021
When an author writes about a place they have lived, they often invoke a sense of love for the place. I feel that was one of the major things lacking in this story.
I don't feel that the pacing of the book was off but events happened almost in the wrong order to fit what could have been a better narrative. The characters were almost exclusively unlikeable and Egypt played so little part in some of it that those scenes could have been set in Dublin without much plot difference.
It wasn't a completely terrible read but it also felt like a chore to finish. The author has a good grasp of food writing and some of the descriptions of edibles were the best part of the book.
I don't feel that the pacing of the book was off but events happened almost in the wrong order to fit what could have been a better narrative. The characters were almost exclusively unlikeable and Egypt played so little part in some of it that those scenes could have been set in Dublin without much plot difference.
It wasn't a completely terrible read but it also felt like a chore to finish. The author has a good grasp of food writing and some of the descriptions of edibles were the best part of the book.
April 23, 2018
Our hapless hero Finn, seduced by tales of buried treasure, is dragged into a nightmare adventure around the back alleys of Cairo, in pursuit of his friend Farouk. Like Finn, you will find yourself mesmerised and just as unable to sleep until you have heard all the story of Skinhead Said and what he found beneath his cellar. With characters are so memorable and well-realised the reader is soon mentally casting the movie version.
Reviewed for Whichbook.net
Reviewed for Whichbook.net
July 29, 2019
Even though I love Egyptian culture and I dream of visiting Egypt, I sadly have to say that I didn't like this book. Maybe Fin - the main character - wich was lazy, bad ass type of guy, drunk and not giving a dime for anything, maybe the pace of the story, or maybe allin together, but it was not a pleasant story. I actually finished it because I do finish what I begin.
November 12, 2018
Hmm... How would I describe a book which is one big goofy adventure? Personally, I thought it was great. It made laugh out loud so many times. It should be rated higher and my mind boggles at how many 2-3 reviews I've read of people who obviously didn't realise this was a spoof adventure novel and that you can't take to the plot too seriously. This genre isn't everyones cup of tea, but I love it. It's also refreshingly free of romance - not so much as a whiff of it between the pages of this book.
Despite the whole novel taking place within a 24 hour period, the pacing of it was pretty relaxed. Lazy and sometimes melancholy, mirroring the main character, which I thought was cleverly done.
The characters - I adored. The supporting characters were all fun elements helping to hinder and frustrate the main character on his journey to help his kidnapped friend. They made me laugh out loud and retch with their vulgarity. But, counteracting them, the main character's internal monologue is incredibly poignant at times. His name is Fin and he's a lovable, flawed man who kinda reminds me of Michael Douglas' character in Jewel of the Nile and John Hannah's character in The Mummy Returns films. Sort of a selfish, haphazard, accidental adventurer who suffers from occasional bursts of courage which he later regrets in an often comical series of unfortunate events.
"He gazed across the rooftops at the lights of the city, stretching without end. Every moment cars were being crashed, limbs were broken, babies were being born; fathers, grandmothers and children were dying or being saved; people were crying and laughing, looking for food, for love, for shelter, for meaning. Fifteen million people, each with their own peculiar story that was truth - fifteen million lives, each looking from a different I, until life ceased with the same breathless finality."
I knocked a star off this because of the ending. Not because it was a bad ending, but because throughout the whole story Fin seeks something. A story, a kidnapped friend, a purpose in life. He's adrift and becomes obsessed with Saïd's story - it becomes his holy grail. It's unclear if he ever discovers his 'treasure'. Only the author can conclusively say. The open ending leaves room for much interpretation.
Also worthy of note, the setting. Immense. I've read a lot of books set in Egypt, but only this one made me feel intimate with the city of Cairo. Rowan Somerville has a way of describing food, scents, atmospheres, sounds etc in a way that made me feel as though I was experiencing those things, as though I was really tasting those succulent cubes of lamb meat coated in toasted sesame seeds with Fin in Omar's restaurant.
Sidenote: At the end of this book there was a couple of pages from the author about what inspired the story. Almost as balmy as the story itself!
Despite the whole novel taking place within a 24 hour period, the pacing of it was pretty relaxed. Lazy and sometimes melancholy, mirroring the main character, which I thought was cleverly done.
The characters - I adored. The supporting characters were all fun elements helping to hinder and frustrate the main character on his journey to help his kidnapped friend. They made me laugh out loud and retch with their vulgarity. But, counteracting them, the main character's internal monologue is incredibly poignant at times. His name is Fin and he's a lovable, flawed man who kinda reminds me of Michael Douglas' character in Jewel of the Nile and John Hannah's character in The Mummy Returns films. Sort of a selfish, haphazard, accidental adventurer who suffers from occasional bursts of courage which he later regrets in an often comical series of unfortunate events.
"He gazed across the rooftops at the lights of the city, stretching without end. Every moment cars were being crashed, limbs were broken, babies were being born; fathers, grandmothers and children were dying or being saved; people were crying and laughing, looking for food, for love, for shelter, for meaning. Fifteen million people, each with their own peculiar story that was truth - fifteen million lives, each looking from a different I, until life ceased with the same breathless finality."
I knocked a star off this because of the ending. Not because it was a bad ending, but because throughout the whole story Fin seeks something. A story, a kidnapped friend, a purpose in life. He's adrift and becomes obsessed with Saïd's story - it becomes his holy grail. It's unclear if he ever discovers his 'treasure'. Only the author can conclusively say. The open ending leaves room for much interpretation.
Also worthy of note, the setting. Immense. I've read a lot of books set in Egypt, but only this one made me feel intimate with the city of Cairo. Rowan Somerville has a way of describing food, scents, atmospheres, sounds etc in a way that made me feel as though I was experiencing those things, as though I was really tasting those succulent cubes of lamb meat coated in toasted sesame seeds with Fin in Omar's restaurant.
Sidenote: At the end of this book there was a couple of pages from the author about what inspired the story. Almost as balmy as the story itself!
March 15, 2014
I liked the main character, Fin. Although he is a lazy, binge drinking journalist, there was a touching part where he saw a dying dog and stopped to help him. Would have LOVED Fin if he'd actually rescued said dog. But he didn't, so he only gets a like from me.
Loved learning about Egypt; the culture, food, customs, religion, Cairo, people. But the more I discovered, the more I wouldn't want to visit there. Too harsh, patriarchal and confrontational for my delicate constitution.
There's a fab author's note at the end of this novel which describes the events which led to this novel being written. Love stuff like that.
Overall very interesting, lots of vile, aggressive, weird characters, especially the ungrateful Forouk, Fin's so called friend, who was so annoying, narrow minded and obnoxious he made me want to reach into the book and punch him. Great bit about Fin in the river Nile (won't elaborate in case I spoil). Found it easy to read. Quite a "blokey" read (I know I am losing what slim credibility I might have, saying such a ridiculous, generalising thing). Good book, glad I read it. Although I enjoyed it, sorry to say I was glad to finish it so I could move onto something else more me.
Loved learning about Egypt; the culture, food, customs, religion, Cairo, people. But the more I discovered, the more I wouldn't want to visit there. Too harsh, patriarchal and confrontational for my delicate constitution.
There's a fab author's note at the end of this novel which describes the events which led to this novel being written. Love stuff like that.
Overall very interesting, lots of vile, aggressive, weird characters, especially the ungrateful Forouk, Fin's so called friend, who was so annoying, narrow minded and obnoxious he made me want to reach into the book and punch him. Great bit about Fin in the river Nile (won't elaborate in case I spoil). Found it easy to read. Quite a "blokey" read (I know I am losing what slim credibility I might have, saying such a ridiculous, generalising thing). Good book, glad I read it. Although I enjoyed it, sorry to say I was glad to finish it so I could move onto something else more me.
August 6, 2018
I really didn't get into this book. I had the impression the author was quite proud of his own experience in Cairo and ability to learn a little bit about the food, language and culture. Some of the the details were fun but at parts it was just too much. I live it Cairo and I can't believe anyone who hadn't been here would find it interesting at all. Also there were no female characters. Zero. A couple referred to briefly and a wife caught having sex, but zero actual dialogue or development. OK book if you're into Cairo, but I wouldn't recommend it to most.
August 29, 2024
Actiunea acestei carti are loc in Egipt. Acesta este dupa parerea mea plusul ei pentru ca m-am simtit in acea atmosfera prafuita, galagioasa, mirositoare si ... araba.
Personajele sunt masculine si de aici glumele, referintele si modul in care se raporteaza la lumea din jur...tipic masculin.
Cartea are si o poveste in poveste ceea ce e cel mai enervant lucru al ei, dar e si despre prietenie, despre o cultura si o religie aparte.
Mie nu mi-a placut dar daca ar fi sa o recomand e pentru Cairo, pentru Egipt.
Personajele sunt masculine si de aici glumele, referintele si modul in care se raporteaza la lumea din jur...tipic masculin.
Cartea are si o poveste in poveste ceea ce e cel mai enervant lucru al ei, dar e si despre prietenie, despre o cultura si o religie aparte.
Mie nu mi-a placut dar daca ar fi sa o recomand e pentru Cairo, pentru Egipt.
June 28, 2019
Scrisa cu o bogatie de descrieri si comparatii literare care ingreuneaza lecturarea, povestea ar face un scenariu bunicel de film. Un jurnalist expat, dupa ce e dat afara de la ziarul la care lucra, se afla in cautarea unei povesti demne de publicat. Gaseste un fir de urmarit de la un amic de-ai lui, iar pe parcurs se trezeste ca este chiar el protagonistul unei povesti palpitante. Finalul povestii este in acord cu peisajul in care s-au petrecut.
February 26, 2018
twisting tale of an erratic young Irishman and his adventures in Cairo, enveloping the reader in a local's storytelling that makes you want to get to the end, with some good descriptions of Egyptian daily life
July 19, 2025
I found this book to be immersive, fast paced and hilarious. It gives a vivid and sensorial impression of life in Cairo. Worth reading for some of the acerbic Arabic expressions and insults alone! The ending was slightly abrupt though it would have been good to see what lay ahead for Fin
August 24, 2019
Atmospheric and evocative.
July 22, 2021
A bit slow on the beginning but once it picked up it was ok, interesting at least culturally wise. The main character is a bit annoying though.
Read
December 8, 2022Haven’t finished it yet, sort of slow, went on to something else.
July 2, 2013
Just looking at the question above this space where I'd write my review of the book really makes me wonder, "What did I think?" What, indeed! I actually can't think of anything positive to write about this book as from the beginning, it was already progressing rather slowly. Heck, perhaps the first page caught my attention, and that was it. Whatever happened after that was just downhill all the way.
To be honest, I have no idea what I read. It felt as though there were two stories intertwined in one book, but it was so convoluted and criss-crossing that I'm now not quite sure if one story was more important than the other. For one, Fin (the heavy drinking ex Irish journalist) was so caught up with a story that his friend Farouk had told him about that the other story in the book about Fin's actual life in Cairo and Farouk's abduction almost felt like it only played a supporting role. As if it was secondary to Fin's obsession with the life and times of Skinhead Said. Whoever the hell he was. Seriously. I don't get what Skinhead Said had to do with Fin or Farouk! What was Rowan Somerville trying to prove in his book?
The whole thing was just so mind-numbing that it took me forever to finish a not-so-thick book. One that would normally take me less than a month to complete (of course, taking into consideration that I wasn't very free and easy myself). I think I better start reading something else that would keep me at the edge of my bed (and seat at Starbucks). A book that can pry me away from my laptop is actually considered a damn good read.
To be honest, I have no idea what I read. It felt as though there were two stories intertwined in one book, but it was so convoluted and criss-crossing that I'm now not quite sure if one story was more important than the other. For one, Fin (the heavy drinking ex Irish journalist) was so caught up with a story that his friend Farouk had told him about that the other story in the book about Fin's actual life in Cairo and Farouk's abduction almost felt like it only played a supporting role. As if it was secondary to Fin's obsession with the life and times of Skinhead Said. Whoever the hell he was. Seriously. I don't get what Skinhead Said had to do with Fin or Farouk! What was Rowan Somerville trying to prove in his book?
The whole thing was just so mind-numbing that it took me forever to finish a not-so-thick book. One that would normally take me less than a month to complete (of course, taking into consideration that I wasn't very free and easy myself). I think I better start reading something else that would keep me at the edge of my bed (and seat at Starbucks). A book that can pry me away from my laptop is actually considered a damn good read.
August 15, 2013
An interesting and in a way surreal story.
Fin a boozy, recently out of a job reporter for a Cairo newspaper out of maudling sensitivity reignites a friendship with Farouk whom he met after moving to Cairo.
Farouk is a whimsical character and spinner of tales who after a swift purchase of a car at a very low price is accused of and abducted by a man who believes he is the culprit of knocking down his daughter and fleeing the scene.
Fin sets out to rescue him and has a series of exotic adventures along the way in his desperation to save his friend Farouk and to hear the end of a tale Farouk has started narrating about the mysterious "Skinhead Said."
Is Farouk ALL fin is searching for or is he looking for excitement and freedom from his humdrum life which he believes he can find at the end of Farouk's tale of Said.
A mystical tale with exotic ingredients of foreign climes to lend an authentic backdrop to a fascinating story.
Well worth reading.
Fin a boozy, recently out of a job reporter for a Cairo newspaper out of maudling sensitivity reignites a friendship with Farouk whom he met after moving to Cairo.
Farouk is a whimsical character and spinner of tales who after a swift purchase of a car at a very low price is accused of and abducted by a man who believes he is the culprit of knocking down his daughter and fleeing the scene.
Fin sets out to rescue him and has a series of exotic adventures along the way in his desperation to save his friend Farouk and to hear the end of a tale Farouk has started narrating about the mysterious "Skinhead Said."
Is Farouk ALL fin is searching for or is he looking for excitement and freedom from his humdrum life which he believes he can find at the end of Farouk's tale of Said.
A mystical tale with exotic ingredients of foreign climes to lend an authentic backdrop to a fascinating story.
Well worth reading.
November 19, 2012
Irish writer who once lived in Egypt writes novel about Irish writer living in Egypt, hilarity ensues.
And seriously, this was frequently true, particularly during scenes of exceptionally colorful native cursing. I did indeed laugh out loud several times.
Otherwise, a well-written novel that meanders in a Twain-like fashion through Cairo society, though it comes up rather empty at the ending. “Journey rather than destination” is kind of a theme for the story itself, anyway, so read it with that in mind.
And seriously, this was frequently true, particularly during scenes of exceptionally colorful native cursing. I did indeed laugh out loud several times.
Otherwise, a well-written novel that meanders in a Twain-like fashion through Cairo society, though it comes up rather empty at the ending. “Journey rather than destination” is kind of a theme for the story itself, anyway, so read it with that in mind.
July 10, 2008
"The End Of Sleep owes much to the Arabic culture it’s steeped in, preferring to linger more on the journey, and its arabesque narrative, lazily meandering through the day, soon takes control holds on through a crazy, if sometimes conveniently plotted, day in the life story peopled with larger-than-life characters"
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
July 23, 2011
Read this book on the recommendation of a review. Set in Egypt, it tells of a period of 2-3 days in the life of Fin, a newspaper man, and Farouk, his Egyptian friend. I suppose it is a kind of cultural awareness/spiritual awakening novel as Fin is forced to accept the differences in viewpoint between his western outlook and the traditional views of local Egyptians. A bit wayward in parts, but some bits were quite funny and other bits hard to piece together. Mixed feelings about this one.
November 30, 2012
Fun book about an Irish journalist in Cairo Egypt and some of the events surrounding his search for the story of a fellow who thought he would get rich from finding Egyptian artifacts under his home. His Egyptian friend does not understand his obsession with the story of the "village idiot" who accidentally blows up his own home in the little village of Mena.
March 26, 2013
"A riotous love letter to Arab culture", says the review which is probably the best thing I can say about the book. I did end up wanting to go to Cairo but I skipped most of the last 50 pages -wanting to find out what eventually happens to the poor bugger but not at all gripped by the narrative that gets him there.
January 2, 2014
This was a funny book. For a 23 years Cairo resident like, I found it interesting to see how the author had gained many insights to the Egyptian character and the inconsistancies of everyday life in Cairo. I also learned a couple of Arabic cusswords which may come in handy when I need to vent my anger against an overcharging taxi driver, a constant thorn in one's flesh when one lives here.
April 23, 2009
I likes books about lost men and boy was our man Fin lost. It was well paced, plenty of action, easy read, but it was not thoughtless. Kinda Sam Spade action, set in Cairo, but with an idiot as the hero.
January 8, 2016
Not as interesting as I'd hoped but OK overall. The Egyptian Arabic terms intermingled with English throughout the novel and the detailed descriptions of places and cuisine made it worth the read, but the plot itself was uninteresting and resolved way too early.
July 27, 2015
Sorry, my review is so late. Very humorous. Great look into Egyptian society and life. Enjoyed it. It always kept me interested, because it was at times very unpredictable. I really got hooked into the story. It was also very easy to read. Loved it.
July 4, 2008
Loved the characters - fascinating story - didn't want to put it down or for it to finish!
March 29, 2014
This was a fun read. I liked the main character, flaws and all, and the insight into Egyptian culture.
July 30, 2011
A marvellously manic tour of the seedy side of Cairo.
November 10, 2014
Not deep, but a good adventure story, with an exotic setting. Well written in parts, but tapers off at the end. The movie (assuming there is one) will have a more profound ending, I'm sure.
August 25, 2012
Put me to sleep. Couldn't finish it.
November 10, 2012
It kept me curious til the end. Seemed like an Arabian nights style of story, with stories in the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews