Playing Cards In Cairo

PLAYING CARDS IN CAIRO is a fly-on-the-wall account - like THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL - of life (for western readers) in a strange and exotic environment. Hugh Miles lives in Cairo and is engaged to an Egyptian woman. Twice a week he plays cards with a small group of Arab, Muslim women and through this medium he explores their lives in modern Cairo, the greatest of Arab cities. It is a secretive, romantic, often deprived but always soulful existence for the women as they struggle with abusive husbands and philandering boyfriends. The book is a window onto a city - and a way of life - which is at a crucial juncture in its history. Hugh Miles, who knows the Arab world intimately, is the perfect guide.

“ 'Behind the veil are the frustrations, fads, fashions and fallibilities familiar to women the world over. Miles is a loving listener, whose understanding of the Islamic world is sharpened by tea and sympathy - THE TIMES 'Playing Cards mixes personal vignettes with an informed overview of Egyptian politics, and although unflinching about Cairo's problems, Miles shows his affection for this great city of every page. - FINANCIAL TIMES 'An intriguing read and, as an introduction to Egyptian life, it's fascinating - DAILY MAIL 'Miles should be applauded for telling their stories so compellingly, and for giving us such a detailed insight into their everyday lives. - SCOTSMAN”

'Behind the veil are the frustrations, fads, fashions and fallibilities familiar to women the world over. Miles is a loving listener, whose understanding of the Islamic world is sharpened by tea and sympathy - THE TIMES

'Playing Cards mixes personal vignettes with an informed overview of Egyptian politics, and although unflinching about Cairo's problems, Miles shows his affection for this great city of every page. - FINANCIAL TIMES

'An intriguing read and, as an introduction to Egyptian life, it's fascinating - DAILY MAIL

'Miles should be applauded for telling their stories so compellingly, and for giving us such a detailed insight into their everyday lives. - SCOTSMAN

Born in Saudi Arabia, Hugh Miles was educated in Libya and Eton and studied Arabic at Oxford and in the Yemen. He has written for the London Review of Books and the S. Times. He won The Times Young Journalist of the Year award in 2000.

PLAYING CARDS IN CAIRO is a fly-on-the-wall account - like THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL - of life (for western readers) in a strange and exotic environment. Hugh Miles lives in Cairo and is engaged to an Egyptian woman. Twice a week he plays cards with a small group of Arab, Muslim women and through this medium he explores their lives in modern Cairo, the greatest of Arab cities. It is a secretive, romantic, often deprived but always soulful existence for the women as they struggle with abusive husbands and philandering boyfriends. The book is a window onto a city - and a way of life - which is at a crucial juncture in its history. Hugh Miles, who knows the Arab world intimately, is the perfect guide.

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