Super Short Summary

Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz is set in Cairo during World War I and in its immediate aftermath, focusing on the al-Jawad family's daily life and the political climate as Egypt transitions from British occupation to nationalism. The authoritarian patriarch, al-Sayyid Ahmad, enforces strict rules, while secretly indulging in forbidden behaviors. Amina, his obedient wife, faces harsh consequences for a brief act of rebellion. Meanwhile, the family's dynamics evolve as the children navigate personal and political challenges within a changing Egypt. The novel includes descriptions of misogyny, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.