A twelve-yearold boy returns to his village from school in Cairo to find the community tornby feud and fear. A corrupt official has decreed the fields must be irrigatedin five days, instead of the customary ten - a demand that threatens to disruptthe economy and life of the whole village. But rebellion is contrary to theirtraditional attitude of servility and easy-going natures. It takes manyattempts - some disastrous, others comical and touching - before they canorganise anything like an effective resistance. Working together, the young and old men and women in the village discover that if youare faithful to the land, it will care for you. Egyptian Earth was first published in 1954, when almost one million Egyptians besieged President Nasser in AbdinPalace, protesting the military dictatorship and demanding land reforms. An epic drama of great power, thiscompassionate and humorous tale of defiance is a masterpiece of modern Arabicliterature.