One Thousand and One Nights

"This sultanate is strange, with its people and demons... it raises the banner of God and wallows in filth."

Our story begins with Shahryar's decision to spare Scheherazade's life as his wife, then unfolds, revealing aspects of the lives of the sultanate's most prominent figures through interconnected yet distinct tales. Scheherazade's stories keep us, along with Shahryar, eager to hear the endings. The characters in the tales of One Thousand and One Nights are diverse, ranging from genies and sultans to strange creatures, increasing the king's desire to hear more. The most important piece of advice is: "Be patient; understanding only comes with time." Shahryar leaves his paradise, reminding us, as Naguib Mahfouz says, that "freedom is the life of the soul, and paradise itself is worthless to a person who has lost their freedom."

"One Thousand and One Nights" is inspired by one of the most famous works of classical Arabic literature, "One Thousand and One Nights," and is written in a poetic style and employs a fantastical narrative framework. Its first edition was published in 1981 following the assassination of the late President Mohamed Anwar Sadat by Islamist terrorist groups. The novel portrays the plight of his mother, who was possessed by demons, turning her days into darkness.

"Wisdom is a difficult pursuit; it is not inherited like a throne." Therefore, with each page of the novel, we learn more that "it is wise to know the limits of reason."