Author: Saad Mekawy Publisher: Dar Al Shorouk Edition Date: 2013 Number of Pages: 356 The Sleepwalkers.. a historical novel that covers the last thirty years of the Mamluk rule... The novel was selected among the Arab Writers Union's list of the best one hundred Arab novels of the twentieth century and is one of the most famous works of the writer Saad Mekawy.. How do I review a novel like this? A miniature epic about a historical period I didn't know much about. "Scoundrels" follow each other on the throne, each plundering what they can, caring only for their own desires. Regarding the language, what struck me most in this novel was the writer's language and vocabulary; it has the ability to transport you into that distant era. Regarding the events, I heard many say the events are boring, but I found them to be very fast-paced, and I was often breathless trying to keep up. Regarding the characters, I didn't find the characters we call "pivotal characters" in literary terms. All the characters converged to paint the features of the epic. It is worth mentioning that there wasn't a cultured character leading the flock – everyone was moved by an inner desire to act.. They deserve better. Regarding the content, "No matter how much the dawn increases the captivity" "There must be a known day when injustices are redressed." I can say no more. I must stop rambling.. It's simply wonderful. This is how heritage is written narratively. One of the most beautiful things I've read in my life. Since the "Gartanah" trilogy, no historical novel has captivated me like "The Sleepwalkers" did. The novel is divided into three parts, and in them, Saad Mekawy wove dozens of characters and places in an enchanting tapestry that leaves you gaping in astonishment, wondering how he managed to grasp these characters and their stories and bring them together in such a captivating style and expression. The novel narrates the last thirty years of Mamluk rule, and it was said to have clear parallels to the evil officers and their conflicts with each other.. But you find that their situation is not much different from the henchmen who surrounded the ousted president. You will dive into the Sultan's court during the Mamluk era.. You will learn how a Mamluk remains without dignity even if he becomes king. You will learn about the corruption that dominated this era. And also about the oppressed people, who were trampled underfoot, their women taken captive, and treated with the whip.. even though all they cared about was a bite to eat. Saad Mekawy's words and style transport you from the first word into the mythic nature of this world.. You live within it and experience the Mamluk terminology, such as Atabak Al-Askari, Bayt Al-Mal, Mutalazim, and Sakhr. Although I am very angry with Dar Al Shorouk for the high prices of its works, I find myself truly indebted to it for the series of distinguished texts that introduced us to works that history almost forgot.