The Fate as a Literary Hero in the Historical Novel Abath al-Aqdar by Najib Mahfuz

Abstract

The Mockery of the Fates is the first novel written by Najib Mahfuz (1911–2006), the Egyptian writer who until the present-day is the only one Arabian Nobel Prize Winner for literature. Since the author became famous rather for his later magnum opus called The Cairo Trilogy than previous works, my aim was to remind a little-known quasi-historical novel which was published in his youth. Due to a very interesting composition of the fable with build-up of suspense and its mature literary style, the work might have served for a perfect film screenplay. Despite the book was addressed mainly to teenagers, it still provokes the adult readers to reflect on the question of free will and destiny. The novel based on Mycenaean myths and old Egyptian legends indicates intermingling of ancient cultures and continuity of diverse traditions till these days.