Hello all,

can anyone suggest fiction for me to read that centers around Eygpt?

Thanks

I enjoyed Hand of Isis by Jo Graham.  Really well-written story of Cleopatra from the perspective of her hand maiden. 

Sure-----Naguib Mahfouz has written about 40 novels and/or novellas about his native Egypt.   He was a Cairene, and his (probably)most famous work is a trilogy comprised of Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street.  Midaq Alley is a novel about a young woman of humble social status who dreams of romance and because of her yearnings, is seduced into prostitution.  Don't start with Children of the Alley would be my advice, as it is an allegorical tale of the three Abrahamic religious faiths, and not the easiest kind of reading.  

You didn't say whether you are interested in ancient or modern Egypt.  That makes a difference on what kind of reading recommendations you might receive.

Naguib Mahfouz wone the Nobel Prize for Literature, in the Eighties (I forget the exact year). 

Wilbur Smith's River God series is excellent 4 to 5 star!  Michelle Moran did a few books, the one I read Neffertitti was a 3 star read for me.

I really liked for fun to read Elizabeth Peter's, Ameilia Peabody mysteries, they are a hoot!

I read the Lord of the Two Lands trilogy by Pauline Gedge that were very good.

Another vote for Wilbur Smith's series -- book 1 is River God.  

I know Naguib Mahfouz is very well regarded, but I just could not get into Palace Walk (sorry Bonnie -- no offense).  The writing was pretty dry, IMHO.

I also really, really enjoyed The Beacon at Alexandria by Gillian Bradshaw, which features a strong female protagonist who disguises herself as a man in order to study medicine in the 4th century.