Amer Wagdi

The first and last narrator, Amer is an octogenarian, a former Wafdist or nationalist and journalist who returns to his beloved native Alexandria upon his retirement. He takes up residence in the fondly-remembered Miramar Pension still owned by Mme. Mariana. Amer complains of dimming eyes, a stooped body, colitis, and prostate troubles. He has never married and claims that Mariana is his only friend. Each is surprised that they have never made love. Amer is sometimes called Amer Bey, using the honorific Turkish title that by the 1960s is long outmoded, but more often is addressed in the French fashion as monsieur.

Amer comes from a religious family. His father is keeper of the mosque of Siddi Abu al-Abbas al-Morsy and and Amer is once a student in al-Azhar University. His expulsion over trivialities destroys his chances for a good marriage. In old age he remains bitter...