Explore the captivating tapestry of Egypt's rich history through 16 remarkable books and movies. From tales of pharaohs and pyramids to modern narratives, delve into the enchanting world of Egypt's past and present.
Egypt has been mentioned many times in a number of Books and movies across history. The goal of this article is to provide everyone with a list of all the amazing books and movies that have mentioned Egypt. This article was written by a very skilled team of tour guides, historians, and travel consultants. Due to the numerous numbers monuments, treasures, attractions, and fascinating spots in Egypt, writers, and storytellers were inspired throughout the past centuries to write about the great history of Egypt. There are countless stories and secrets untold in the Land of Pharaohs and the best way for any traveler to experience the ultimate level of excitement and explore the greatness of Egypt is through one of the most recommended Egypt guided packages.
So we have come today with a unique collection of the best names of movies & books that introduce a lot about the best parts of Egypt through the imagination of the most fascinating writers in the world. So make use of your spare time now and start digging into the wonderful history of Egypt to know more and more about such a terrific country starting from the days of the Ancients.
"Chronicle of the Last Summer" is such a wonderful novel written by the amazing writer Yasmine in 2016 and its content revolves around the different experiences of a narrator and her heroine's path as "A Young Girl" who is recording details of three tumultuous decades in Egypt which is divided into three sections in 1984, 1998, and 2014 while being in Cairo. The novel is able to shed light on the fine thin line between complicity and survival thus exploring the conscience of a great generation who was raised in total silence.
You will listen to some of the conversations between the narrator and her family while reading the novel and that way you will feel like enjoying the experience of being with a local family in Egypt, knowing some of their traditions and the way of life. Throughout the novel, you will see the different timeframes and how the narrator turns out to be a filmmaker and a writer. She made sure to depict some of the biggest responsibilities, complicities, and oppression that she had to face in her life.
Egypt witnessed a huge change in the way of life during the 14th century through religion, shifts in leadership, art, etc, and the amazing novel written by Mika Waltari here depicts the biggest social & political dynamics that the narrator had to face in that era. The main character in that story is called Sinuhe and he is trying to describe the travails of his life. You will find yourself in the middle of the ancient Egyptian drama during the 18th dynasty followed by the great events that Egypt witnessed during the reign of King Akhenaten the first monotheistic ruler in the world as he was the one who established the new capital of Egypt known as Amarna.
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Read MoreAlthough the whole story of the Egyptian is fictional it narrates lots of stories regarding the ancient history in Egypt during that time period with a lot of accurate details about the life and culture of that time period. It also holds a powerful pessimistic message about the essential sameness of the incredibly flawed human nature across the ages. This story is partially inspired by the ancient Egyptian tale called "The Story of Sinuhe" which is considered a huge mark of Finnish literature.
Akhenaten {Dweller in Truth} is an incredible book written by the great Arabic writer, Naguib Mahfouz in 1985 and it shows very clear perspectives regarding ancient life in Egypt, especially during the reign of King Akhenaten. The book revolves around a journey with the scribe Meriamun and his father from Sais to Panopolis, where he takes note of the ruins of Akhetaten, a city constructed by the "Heretic Pharaoh" Akhenaten in devotion to his One and Only God.
Meriamun, seeking a well-rounded perspective on the politically and religiously divisive era, receives a letter of introduction from his father, which grants him access to several members of Akhenaten's court, including the High Priest of Amun, his security chief Haremhab, and his queen Nefertiti. Through their accounts, Meriamun gains fresh insights into the enigmatic figure of Akhenaten, and their perspectives allow both him and the reader to assess whether Akhenaten was a shrewd political operator or a sincere believer in his cause.
You will be able to explore while reading that novel; some of the greatest achievements of that pharaoh. On the other hand, another amazing writer; Michelle Moran took a closer look at the Pharaoh’s wife; Queen Nefertiti in her novel that was written in 2008 under the title "Nefertiti". There are lots of mysteries and secrets that you really need to know regarding ancient Egyptian life and you will definitely be able to explore a great deal of them through reading such stories, so try and you will never regret it.
The Man in the White Sharkskin was created by a talented author who managed throughout his novel that was written in 2008 to speak about a Jewish family that lived in Egypt in 1963 after the cascading events. The life of the father in this story is with no doubt the essential part of this story as it shows lots of struggle and escapes from the unknown.
The story is about a journey from Cairo to the United States where Leon is the main character who sheds light on the cosmopolitan city nightlife of Cairo and the social interactions with the business and social interactions with a diverse group of people. The story of the book has the power to shed light on the emotional cost of exile, people’s perspectives changing across the ages, and the power of familial warmth, love, and memory. You will feel like living in Old Cairo while reading and exploring its ancient treasures all around.
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie will Transport you straight to the heavens of Egypt. If you would like to explore the amazing beauty and mystery of the Nile River, you should definitely read this novel that was written by the amazing writer; Agatha Christie in 1937 that discusses a mystery death incident on the Nile and she tries to show via her novel that vacations may not go as planned. This novel is known to be the most famous and loved work of literature that radiates sensations of mystery, love, jealousy, and betrayal.
The novel has come to life from her historical and geographic quest across the celestial Nile River. The main character in that novel is Detective Hercule Poirot who is trying to enjoy a wonderful vacation in Egypt starting from Cairo city but there will be a few challenges while riding a Nile River Cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The author chose the title of her novel very carefully to add the concept of excitement and mystery to her story just like the mystery novels she used to write.
Death on the Nile by John Guillermin is an epic film known as one of the best examples that depict life in Egypt and the best sites that are usually visited by tourists who come to Egypt to enjoy their vacations. It was written in 1978 and it matches the same plot of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile Story. The field depicts the amazing Egyptian sites that should be visited in Egypt. Peter Ustinov played the role of Detective Hercule.
Throughout the film, you will be able to check the feeling of embarking on a Nile River Cruise in the middle of the Nile River, head to Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan {One of the best hotels ever all around Egypt}, enjoy a tour at Karnak Temples Complex, and last but not least enjoy a remarkable visit to Abu Simbel Temples. Throughout our incredible Egypt Tour Packages, you will be able to have some majestic visits to all of those sites and much more to follow the steps of the Ancient Egyptians.
The actions of the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark" took place almost 1000 miles away from Tunisia. It is one of a kind as it is considered one of the first movies that depict the streets and buildings in Cairo during the 1930s. The movie is known to be one of the greatest films ever made it has a powerful lasting impact on popular culture which inspired many novels, comic books, video games, and TV series that inspired travelers from all over the world to explore the wonders of ancient Egypt across the treasures of Thebes.
This movie was produced in 1981 and you will enjoy it a lot while watching that movie whose hero is the talented actor "Harrison Ford" who is known to be the Iconic archeologist "Indiana Jones". There is a lot of entertainment and excitement in this movie as it narrates lots of discovery, superstitious curses, and magic.
The Yacoubian Building by Marwan Hamed is one of the most successful Egyptian movies that were produced in history and it recorded more than 6 million EGP on the first week of its opening in 2006. It depicts a real old building that is located in downtown Cairo and there are so many tenants on the building who form different stories including an engineer, a songstress, a millionaire, and an ambitious tailor.
You can witness a firm critique of life in Egypt after the 1952 Coup d’etat. The movie is very dramatic able to showcase the complex intricacies of society in the golden capital of Cairo. The movie has been nominated for a number of awards from the Universal Movie Festival marking its importance.
Cairo Time by Ruba Nadda is one of the best examples of romantic drama that was led by actress Patricia Clarkson in her role as wife, Juliette. The movie circles around Juliette, a Canadian magazine editor who visits Cairo for a vacation with her husband Mark, who works for the UN in Giza. Mark asks his friend Tareq to watch over Juliette due to his delays in Giza. During Mark's prolonged absence, Juliette befriends locals and develops a deep connection with the city. She and Tareq become close, though their relationship remains platonic. After a trip to Alexandria, Juliette admits she will miss Tareq when she returns to Canada. They visit the Great Pyramids, but their growing bond is interrupted when Mark finally arrives.
Discover the most famous Cairo tourist attractions you should visit!
Read MoreJuliette and Tareq hide their feelings, marking the end of their special "Cairo Time". The movie depicts the experience of Juliette while being in Cairo. It is such an amazing city where the love story begins and never ends and while watching the movie, you will have enough chance to explore the old streets, shopping markets, and monuments located in Cairo. With such amazing movies and incredible stories & novels, you will never get bored or miss the chance to explore the greatness of Egypt.
A 1943 collection of short stories written by Yahya Hakki that explores the cultural differences between the East and West, the titular "Lamp of Umm Hashim" is a famous story that follows a young Egyptian studying to be a doctor in England, who returns to Egypt and finds he wishes to apply what he learned to his native culture but struggle up against Egyptian traditions. It was this story that was adapted into a film in 1968 by Kamal Attia. The book of lamp of Umm Hashim is a magnificent work of art which is "Story in the Form of a Petition" which creatively tells a humorous tale in the format of an official petition, with a clever twist at the end. "Mother of the Destitute" portrays the life of Ibrahim Abu Khalil, who faces the hardships of life with resilience and modesty which provides a rich depiction of Egyptian life.
"A Story from Prison" captures vivid scenes of Egyptian life efficiently. The central story is "The Lamp of Umm Hashim" which presents the life of Ismail, who grows up in a neighborhood that strongly influences his choices. The narrative explores his journey, education, and personal conflicts, with a shift from science to superstition that leads to a surprising turn of events. This story is compelling but has a simplistic view of faith versus reason. The book is an incredible source of amazing facts and tales that showcase the intricate culture and beliefs of Cairo.
From the Egyptian grand master of literature and noble Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz, comes the first installment of his critically acclaimed "Cairo Trilogy" where Readers are taken back in time from 1917 to 1919, where Mahfouz explores the massive political and societal shifting atmosphere that occurred as a result of World War I and the revolution against the British which was adapted into a 1962 film by Hassan Al Imam. It was created in 1956 then translated to English & published again in 1990. The book's name means "Between Two Palaces".
The entire novel takes place in Cairo around the time of WWI which lasted between 1917 and 1919. This social realist style body of work is able to reflect the political and social setting of Egypt during the 1919 Egyptian Revolution. The story discusses family dynamics, establishment and subversion of authority, and the character development during a political shift in that time period.
The second book in Mahfouz's "Cairo Trilogy” explores the personal habits and troubles of a wealthy aristocratic family in Egypt and the political turmoil of 1920s Cairo during the Colonial era. Its film adaptation was directed by Hassan Al Imam in 1967. The story is a continuation of the same family in the trilogy which showcases the family with the concept of freedom.
It shows his sons dealing with the concepts of love and loss plus the adulthood of both the father and his sons & daughters during the changing world of colonial Egypt. The book is a magnificent body of social and historical art that has the power to convey a number of very important details and facts.
The final installment of Mahfouz's "Cairo Trilogy", sees its central character aging and sick, yet through his three grandsons, is able to see the rise of modern Egypt, each living their own complex and twisting lives. It was adapted into a film in 1973 by Hassan Al Imam. The novel is set in Cairo between 1935 and World War II, with global and national politics as a backdrop. It touches on the rise of Egyptian nationalism in the 1930s and Egypt's official neutrality during the war.
Historic events, such as Amina's illness and death (the family matriarch), coincide with moments in history, including a bombing raid. The book has the power to shed light on the clash between Western ideals with Islamic thought and to adapt to the changes brought about by colonialism and World War II.
Latifa Al-Zayyat's novel takes place in 1952 and explores the rise of Egyptian nationalism against the youth of Egypt fighting for freedom, equality, women's rights, and the chance to build a better future. It was adapted into a movie in 1963 by Henry Barakat.
The novel was completed in 1960 and won the inaugural Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature. It was written in colloquial Egyptian Arabic and shed light on a middle-class Egyptian girl's coming of age plus the rise of the movement of Egyptian nationalism before the 1952 Egypt Revolution.
Another tale of Egypt meets Europe, this time from master Arab author Tawfik Hakim, which follows a young Egyptian man's encounter with love in Paris and the conflicts of culture he faces. The 1938 novel was adapted into a 1986 film by Youssef Francis. The title "Usfur" meaning sparrow, symbolizes a traveler bridging the East (Egypt) and the West (France). The novel is set in pre-World War II France, reflecting the social and economic challenges of that time, and highlighting the poverty and unemployment in French society.
The central theme of the story extends beyond a failed love relationship, focusing on the complexities faced by the Eastern character in Paris and the clash between Eastern and Western cultures heart and mind, imagination and reality, spirituality, and materialism. Towards the end, Al-Hakim critiques the consequences of Western industrialism, the dehumanization of individuals, and the transformation of people into mere machines.
This novel by Egyptian master of literature Taha Hussein is the story of a young peasant girl named Amna, who suffers hardships but eventually marries into wealth, only to find that her life doesn't necessarily get better even with all the money in the world. It was made into a 1959 film by Henry Barakat to showcase its amazing poetic beauty that offers great insight into the human heart.
It is a magical and renowned piece of fiction in modern Arabic literature that is shaped in the form of a romantic story about the triumph of love over revenge and sheds light on the social taboos of the time and how the main character was able to overcome all kinds of different challenges.
Step into the world of pharaohs and pyramids with Marvelous Egypt Tour. Our meticulously crafted private tours to Egypt offer a remarkable journey through history, taking you to iconic landmarks like the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings. Let our seasoned guides bring the past to life as you sail the Nile, explore ancient temples, and witness the splendor of Egypt. Create unforgettable memories and experience the allure of this timeless destination. Book your Egypt adventure now with Marvelous Egypt Tour and let the wonders of antiquity mesmerize you.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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