[GOTHIC - ROMANTIC ARABIC NOVEL IN LEBANON MOUNTAINS] نداء المجهول / Nidâ al-majhûl [i.e., The call of the unknown]

TAYMUR, MAHMOUD (1892-1921).

Maktab al-Âdâb, Cairo, [c. 1965].

Original brownish wrappers. Cr. 8vo. (20 x 144 cm). In Arabic. 166, [2] p. Slight toning on covers. Pages are not opened and trimmed. Overall, a very good copy.

The very rare early Cairo edition of this novel by Taymur, first published in the mid-20th century, a landmark in modern Arabic literature and Egyptian storytelling. Set in the mountains of Lebanon, the novel intertwines adventure and psychological depth, following a protagonist drawn to a mysterious, abandoned palace and the enigmatic figures he encounters there. The work exemplifies Taymur’s skill in blending narrative realism with Gothic and romantic elements, portraying characters with nuanced psychology and vivid descriptions of setting. Celebrated for its innovative approach, the novel earned Taymur the 1947 Story Prize from the Fuad I Academy for Arabic Language, recognizing his contribution to the development of modern Arabic prose and drama.

Mahmoud Taymur, son of Ahmad Taymur Pasha, was one of the founders of modern prose and drama in Egypt. He travelled to Paris to study law but returned to Cairo with the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and devoted himself thereafter to writing short stories and plays, heavily influenced by the realist movement. He co‑founded the "Association of Supporters of Acting", and several of his social comedies were staged, including The Bird in the Cage, The Abyss, and the operetta The Good Ten, composed by Sayyid Darwish. He also published a collection of short stories titled What the Eyes See.

As of March 2026, OCLC shows a single copy worldwide in the UAE, Dar al-Kutub, with none held in North American institutions (OCLC 1158848123).