Nevine Abbas Halim

This was a memoir based on diaries of Princess Nevine Abbas Helim. The Princess describes life at the royal Egyptian court during its heyday. King Farouk and his sisters feature heavily throughout. I appreciated the glimpses we are allowed into Egyptian court life. I think there needs to be more books on the subject, especially with regards to its royal family.

The book is stocked full of photographs of various court members, and these are very beautifully shown. Again, much appreciated. It was a bit sad, though, this book. The Princess's life doesn't seem to have amounted to anything more than concern for flitting from one party to the next, meeting friends at various sporting clubs around Cairo, and appearing at court functions.

The end of the book contains the line "Princess Nevine Halim is retired. She lives between Alexandria and Lausanne." Retired from what? Partying? The book never gives her a job. That was a drawback. There isn't much of a story told.

Still, if you're hungry for looks into the Egyptian royal court just before the revolution, this is for you.… (meer)