A compelling and fascinating novel by one of Egypt's most acclaimed writers, and winner of the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

As the 19th century draws to a close, the politically disgraced Mahmoud Abd El Zahir takes up his post as District Commissioner of the remote and dangerous Egyptian oasis of Siwa, knowing he has no choice. The hostile, warring natives are no surprise - but little did he expect to fall in love, his Irish wife to alienate the entire community, or a local beauty to prove a fatal ally. As the gulf between occupier and occupied, husband and wife, dreams and reality widens, tensions reach boiling point.

"A boldly imaginative exploration of Egypt's tragic history, and takes us back to the imperial dreams of Alexander the Great, suggesting parallels with the dreams of Bush and Bush. Taher's voice is sombre, wise and lyrical." - Margaret Drabble, Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year

"Ambitously weighty...offers a welcome glimpse of a troubled period of Egypt's history largely forgotten by its British colonisers and an absorbing portrait of a would-be good man destroyed by bad times" - Rachel Aspen, Observer

"Traces with wonderful subtlety the cultural, historical and gender incompatibilities that inevitably lead to tragedy. It is a haunting but never despairing narrative." - Michael Holroyd, Guardian Books of the Year

"A subtle cast of characters emotively bring the complexity of politics to vivid, powerful life" - Zena Alkayat, Metro

"A richly textured treat" - Boyd Tonkin, Independent Books of the Year

"Fascinating...The most compelling journey is that of Mahmoud inwards, an accurate and sensitive portrayal of the honest but weak man" - Navtej Sarna, Times Literary Supplement