The life story of writer Naguib Mahfouz

The first part of a book that talks about the life story of the writer Naguib Mahfouz is likely to cover his childhood and early influences. Mahfouz was born in Cairo in 1911, and grew up in an environment that was steeped in the cultural and social traditions of Egypt. His family was middle-class, and his father was a civil servant who worked in the Ministry of Religious Endowments. Mahfouz was the youngest of seven children, and as a child, he was shy and introverted. Despite his quiet nature, Mahfouz was an avid reader from a young age. He was particularly interested in the Arabic classics, such as the works of AlMutanabbi and Al-Ma'arri, and he also read widely in European literature. Mahfouz's love of literature was encouraged by his family, who subscribed to a number of Arabic-language newspapers and magazines, and who also provided him with books to read.