By: Naguin Mahfouz
The Thief And The Dogs by the Egyptian writer Naguin Mahfouz (Nobel Laureate, Literature, 1988) is not a typical classic or literary masterpiece one would imagine a Nobel laureate to produce. Interestingly, this thin paperback reads like a James Bond thriller: packed with action, crafty thefts, murders, and the sporadic romance serves as a bonus. In its 158 pages, Mahfouz describes Said, the protagonist thief, as a self proclaimed Robin Hood who robs the wealthy for the poor. The day after his release from jail, he plots to kill his unfaithful wife, and her lover who put him in jail, and his now disloyal old mentor . The intensity builds on the psychological turmoil of Said, who frequently finds refuge in the quiet and tranquil mosque when his life is at risk. The chantings and prayers in the mosque offer a poetic contrast to Said's delusional killing instincts, which eventually leads to his own destruction. The story is full of angry monologues, the characterization straightforward, romance sporadic , ending predictable. In short, its a generous combo of James Bond, Robin Hood, and some Bonnie and Clyde all packed in one paperback, a triple dip for the summer. (Fiction) 07/30/09
