This fabulous journey into the magic of the Arab world has been a bestseller in Europe since its first publication. It is the story of the Arab world’s greatest and most popular singer, Umm Kalthum, told through the eyes of the poet Ahmad Rami, who wrote her lyrics and loved her in vain all his life. Spanning five decades in the history of modern Egypt, this passionate tale of love and longing provides a key to understanding the soul, the aspirations and the disappointments of the Arab world. The compelling story of Umm Kalthum and the history of modern Egypt intertwine in a novel that is essential reading for anyone interested in The Middle East.

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