The Naqib’s Daughter

by Samia Serageldin

A passionate tale, woven from personal stories of heroic betrayal and love, The Naqib’s Daughter is based on historical characters, and set during Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt.

Lady Nafisa, aristocrat, philanthropist and wife of Mamluke leader Murad Bey wakes one morning to find her worst fears confirmed. Cairo is under threat from the French, whose mission is to liberate the most ancient civilisation in the world from what they see as superstition and darkness.

For Nafisa it means that her husband will go to war and she will be widowed a second time. She will have a new role as an intermediary with the French and as a refuge for vulnerable civilians form both sides.

For fourteen year-old Zeinab, daughter of a respected Naqib, it is the end of her childhood. To save her family she is married to Napoleon. Life in the French court in Egypt is a game to her, one with many pleasures, including the love of one of Napoleon's trusted entourage. When the occupation fails, and the French begin to withdraw, only Nafisa can protect her from the wrath of the mob.

Elfi Bey, the ambitious new Mamluke leader who is also in love with Lady Nafisa, has to risk being an outcast, for the land he so dearly loves, and loosing all the wealth and status he has worked for because he fears the only way to save Egypt from the occupiers is to seek support from the court of King George III.

Samia Serageldin brings to life the vanished world of the exotic Mamluke warrior-slaves and so doing, explores the complex, often dangerous relationship between occupier and occupied. The Naqib's Daughter reveals the high price paid by Egyptians for their occupation.

Genres: Egypt, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2007

About the author

وُلدت الروائية سامية سراج الدين في القاهرة، وهاجرت مع عائلتها إلى الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية عام 1980.
نالت شهادة الماجيستير في العلوم السياسية من جامعة لندن

Reviews

[Jalilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nagibs Daughter is historical fiction told from the point of view of 4 people who actually existed:

Zainab El-Bakri, a young girl who was given to Napoleon Bonaparte as a "bride" by her own father to form an alliance with the French
Sitt Nafisa " the White", a wealthy widow who had the "sabil-kuttab " charitable waterworks and school for orphans
Nicolas Conte, French scholar and author of "Descriptions of Egypt"
and Muhammed Bey Elif a Mamaluke solider who fought against the French for Egyptian independence.

What are this novels' strengths were also it's weaknesses. This is why it is actually 3 1/2 stars for me.

All the historical information is what made this novel an interesting read. It's set in Egypt during the time when Egyptian had been ruled for centuries by the Mamalukes and the French had invaded Egypt.
However because the author changed certain historical facts, I could not appreciate this novel as much as I might have. Knowing the real Zeinab had been executed for "collaboration" with the French after the French evacuated spoiled a lot for me. I would have prefer the historical facts kept the way they were.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

[Tania Ahmadi]

The story does not capture my interest. Could not finish it !

[Marisa Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story based on historical events. Had no idea about Napolean's foray into Egypt. Sadly another tale of an arrogant dictator thinking that he/they are better than other cultures and 'improving' them with no regard for that way of life. An interesting fictionalised story based on true events.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, and it is based on a real person with the real events of the French occupation of Egypt during the Napoleanic wars. The author even includes a glossary of terms and an in depth author's note about the acutual history of the events.

[Alaric Longward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and useful.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not like, bad or anything. Just not interesting or memorable at ALL.

[Pat Stearman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I skimmed through this but it took til at least half way through before I felt I was interested in any of the characters - possibly because it took that long for Zeinab to become the lead character.
It's a period & area I knew little about ( some knowledge of Napoleon but not of the Egyptian campaign). so that was interesting.
It's always more difficult if you have to spell out the names but I do try if only out of respect.
Reading group book so I'll see how the others felt.