There were parts of this book I really enjoyed. The lives of two sets of cousins, one pair (Anna and Layla) starting in 1901 and the other (Amal and Isobel) in 1997. The latter are researching the story of the former, courtesy of a set of journals, diaries and letters. Lots of connections between Britain and Egypt, Much of the story is told by Amal in the first person alternating with Anna's journal and Layla's diary (both in different fonts thank heavens). Then suddenly the author takes over in the third person ( I realise now she had to when Amal is out of the picture). But once you get used to format, it works very well. So far so very good.
But I just couldn't get on with the enormous amount of politics that engulf this novel from about a third in. One of the character's mother says "Enough of politics!" I couldn't agree more. If you are interested in the history of Egypt and the torrid time in endured at these times, this is the book for you. I liked the descriptions of Cairo and Alexandria. What I enjoyed most were the connections between the two sets of cousins, the men in their lives, and especially how Anna and Layla meet. At the start of the book there is a family tree. Essential reference time and time again.
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