“The area located in the middle of Cairo, which in modern times is known as Al-Azbekiyah, was once a swampy land called Bikraat al-Bat al-Baqarah. Perhaps this name came from the shape of the land, which resembled the abdomen of a cow. Later, when Prince Azbek al-Khazandar arrived and transformed this area into a well-planned urban landscape bearing his name, Al-Azbekiyah became a beautiful tourist destination, surrounded by palaces, avenues, parks, and lush gardens.” This novel represents a unique literary experience by our great writer, Khairi Shalbi. It is a blend of geography and narrative storytelling. It’s a novel about a specific place, focusing on both its historical and social aspects. It’s like writing in the field of urban planning, telling us about characters, events, and times that sometimes thrive, and sometimes fade away.”