Chronicles Of A Cairo Bookseller

In 2002, three young women with no business degrees, no formal training, and nothing to lose founded a fiercely independent bookstore. At the time, nothing like Diwan existed in Cairo. Culture was languishing under government mismanagement, and books were considered a luxury, not a necessity. Over the next decade, these three women would contend with censors, chauvinists, critics, one another, and many people who said they would never succeed in establishing Diwan as Cairo’s leading bookstore.

Frank, fresh, and very funny, Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller is a portrait of a country hurtling toward a revolution, a feminist rallying cry, and an unapologetic crash course in running a business under the law of entropy. Above all, it is a celebration of the power of words to bring us home.

Key Features:

• Engaging Narrative: The memoir offers a candid and humorous account of the challenges and triumphs faced by the author and her co-founders in establishing Diwan.

• Cultural Insight: Provides a unique perspective on Egyptian society, politics, and the literary scene during a transformative period.

• Personal Anecdotes: Shares personal stories and experiences that highlight the complexities of balancing career, life, love, friendship, and motherhood.

• Inspirational Journey: Chronicles the evolution of Diwan from a small independent bookstore to a significant cultural institution in Cairo.

• Feminist Perspective: Offers a feminist viewpoint on entrepreneurship and the role of women in the literary and business landscapes.