Ahmed Hussam Al-Deen Soliman

This novel is set at the time of the digging of the Suez Canal in the period between 1859 and 1869. It depicts the nature of life around the Canal and the suffering of the workers who took part in digging it. In narrative form, the novel recalls the testimonies of Miguel, Fawazan and other senior engineers involved in the project. Through the character of a Nubian servant who worked for both the Governor Saeed and the Khedive Ismail, the novel also gives us glimpses at the scene inside Abdeen palace.