Mahfuz, Najib

Hamida, an orphan girl in 1940's Cairo, encounters a variety of unique individuals after becoming a prostitute in order to buy food for herself.

Just released from prison, Said Mahran finds himself betrayed by the most important people in his life--forgotten by his daughter, abandoned by his wife, and rejected by his mentor.

strange group of characters try to escape the poor life they lead in a seedy back alley in Cairo.