Rated FIVE Stars *****

Palace of Desire is the second book in the three-book series known as The Cairo Trilogy. While this book could be read on it's own, I highly suggest reading Palace Walk first, as this book is a sequel. The reader really needs the background from the first book to fully appreciate this one.

This book opens with the father, Al Sayyid Ahmad Abd al Jawad, in middle age. He,and his oldest son, Yasin continue their romantic escapades. Kamal is hurt terribly in love. This book absolutely deserves the Nobel Prize for Literature that it won, as you really feel with all of the characters. Naguib Mahfouz is a master of characterization, and of many different types of characters.

If you have read and enjoyed Palace Walk, by all means, continue with Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street (third and last of the series of three). You will NOT be disappointed.