Midnight In Cairo: The Female Stars of Egypt’s Roaring ‘20s

Synopsis

1920s Cairo: singers were pressing hit records, dramatic troupes were springing up and cabarets were packed – a counterculture was on the rise. In bars, hash-dens and music halls, people of all backgrounds came together as a passionate group of artists captivated Egyptian society.Of these performers, Cairo’s biggest stars were female, and they asserted themselves on the stage like never before. Two of the most famous troupes were run by women; Badia Masabni’s dancehall became the hottest nightspot in town; pioneer of Egyptian cinema Aziza Amir made her stage debut; and legendary singer Oum Kalthoum first rose to fame. It is these women, who knew both the opportunities and prejudices that this world offered, who best reveal this cosmopolitan and raucous city’s secrets.Midnight in Cairo tells the thrilling story of Egypt’s interwar nightlife and entertainment industry through the lives of its pioneering women. Introducing an eccentric cast of characters, it brings to life a world of revolutionary ideas and provocative art – one which laid the foundations of Arab popular culture today. It is a story of modern Cairo as we have never heard it before.‘An utterly unique book, teeming with vividly recounted stories, at times hilarious and at times tragic. These were true feminists avant la lettre who defied the societal norms and authorities of their time, both in Egypt and abroad. This inspiring gem of a book gripped me from beginning to end.’--Hanan al-Shaykh, author of Women of Sand and Myrrh‘Important, insightful and fascinating … Cormack highlights an important period in Egypt’s modern history – almost unknown in the West – when its cosmopolitan culture was characterized by a tolerance of all races and religions … This is a must-read.’--Alaa Al Aswany, author of The Yacoubian Building‘A book full of surprises. A lively story of women shaping gender, class, money and national liberation issues from the music halls and cabarets of early twentieth-century Cairo.’--Ahdaf Soueif, author of Cairo: Memoir of a City Transformed‘An unexpected story of powerful women and their no less powerful voices … Beguiling and original.’--Marina Warner, author of Forms of Enchantment‘Packed with pizzazz and fizzing with naughtiness … a thrilling reminder of the richness and wonder of Egyptian culture in the roaring twenties.’ --Justin Marozzi, author of Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood'A lively history of early-20th-century Cairo … This sparkling account casts the history of the Egyptian capital in a new light.’--Publishers Weekly‘A vibrant history of Cairo’s women-dominated cultural landscape between the wars … A lively and original story of modern Egypt told through the lives of its first generation of women celebrities.’--Kirkus Reviews‘Highly readable ... An engaging social history that touches on issues of freedom and liberation, issues that still resonate today.’-- Library Journal

Copyright:

2021

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9780863563386

Related ISBNs:

9780863563133

Publisher:

Saqi

Date of Addition:

05/05/21

Copyrighted By:

Raphael Cormack

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Entertainment, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.