On the Brink of the Nile by Mahi Wasfy are the stories of two separate women in Egypt, Maha and Mrs. Magda. Maha is a young college student who is trying to find her feet in a world that she is bound to but does not feel a part of. She is Westernized in every sense and dreams of abandoning her school in Cairo for one abroad, but academically her grades aren't in an position to win an argument with her father. Her life is one of privilege, but to her it is unfulfilling, and the conditions of living in a restrictive society feel like a sarcophagus to her. Mrs. Magda is further along in life. Established professionally, academically, and personally. Still, she yearns for more and, in pursuit of it, she discovers a range of issues that a rigid and generally accepted structure held together in a bureaucracy makes fulfillment difficult to obtain.

On the Brink of the Nile by Mahi Wasfy is beautifully written. The intersection of Maha and Mrs. Magda is excellent, but even if it didn't exist, each has a fascinating story in her own right. The convergence is done exceptionally well and we get to see two women who are independently forces of nature fight against injustice as one. I think where Wasfy excels as a writer is in her character development. Even ancillary characters feel fleshed out, and the connection between readers and Maha and Mrs. Magda is instant. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy books where the hope of youth and the crusade of a matured heroine - both impassioned and galvanized in very different ways - leads to a perfect weekend lost in a wonderful story.

On Sunday, September 9, 2001, Maha was at the City of the Dead (an overcrowded, worn-out cemetery) attending her grandmother’s funeral. Two days later, the terrible events of 9/11 shook the world, and how it impacted life in Cairo, Egypt, is certainly interesting. Maha began her freshman year at the American International University, and it soon became overwhelming for her. Managing her schoolwork along with her social life caused great stress for her. Relationships with male friends became a precarious adventure. Maha had never learned how to speak or read Arabic, a required course. And, her first paper in her English Literature class was a failure. Mrs. Magda, a child and family advocate, became an ally for her, as well as for parents whose children were being traumatized by Islamic teachers. In the novel, On the Brink of the Nile, Mahi Wasfy presents the complexities of a traditional culture with contemporary life situations.

There are several story lines throughout the book, and the characters intersect with each other to establish and explain the main themes within the story. Each main character is well developed, and the dialogue is realistic. Maha is a young woman who is struggling to find her true self in a complicated society. Add to this, the intriguing and concerning portrayal of the educational system in Cairo, and the reader is captivated. Author Mahi Wasfy has created an excellent and honest portrayal of modern day Egypt in On the Brink of the Nile. The book is both informative and compelling – a thought-provoking read.