Respected SirIn Respected Sir, Mahfouz retells a familiar theme—vaulting ambition—in a powerful and religious metaphor. Othman Bayuumi's humble origins do not stop him from coveting the Director-Generalship of the governmental department he has entered as an archives clerk. It is a vision that becomes a lifelong pursuit, superseding all other interests or people in his life. What is essentially a prosaic experience becomes—in Mahfouz's hands—a beautifully crafted story of an exalted and arduous holy quest. |
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Abdullah Wajdi al-Husayni Alley ambition answered Arabic Archives Section Asila asked aunt Bahjat Noor Bayyumi believe budget Cairo Cairo Trilogy Children of Gebelawi death Deputy Director desk despair Director General’s Director of Administration dream employee everything Excellency the Director eyes face feeling felt girl glory God’s grade Hamza al-Suwayfi hand happiness Head of Archives heard heart hope Husayn I’ve incoming mail Isma’il Khan al-Khalili kind kissed knew laughed life’s live look man’s marriage married matter meaning Midaq Alley mind ministry mumbled Naguib Mahfouz never night novel Omm Husni one’s Onsiyya Ramadan Othman Palace Walk path path of glory piastre promotion Qadriyya Qur’an Radiya replied Sa‘fan Basyuni sacred Sayyida secret Secretary shook sighed silence smiled sorrow stood tell Thank There’s thing thought told took translation Trilogy unknown voice walked What’s wife woman word you’re