This work of fiction has finally made its way to english readers. The novel traces a fictional story around the legendary Arab singer Oum Kalthoum as told through the voice of the poet Ahmed Rami. This beautiful and touching tale of man's love for a woman reveals the many facets of Oum Kalthoum's passion for music and song and describes with great precision the sensuousness and immense power of her voice that captivated an entire population and beyond. The fictional setting for Oum Kalthoum operates as a instrument to paint the reality of the singer's impact on her audience. In parallel to the diva's double character, Selim Nassib unpacks the complexities of Egyptian society and its many changes through the lens of his protagonists. He shows, with most elegance, Oum Kalthoum's journey in a transforming society through the twentieth century. For lovers of the Star of the Orient, and for those who loved her for her voice, this book is an absolute joy.
