Palace Walk

This is the first book in the Cairo Trilogy by Nobel Prize winning Egyptian author Mahfouz. Set in the early twentieth century the story concerns the domineering head of a traditional well-to-do family in Cairo. Whilst demanding strict adherence to the principles of Islam from his wife and children he regularly allows himself the pleasures of music, wine and courtesans. Unbeknownst to him his eldest son has the same tastes.