El Kamhawi’s new novel uses fantasy to escape tragedy

El Kamhawi's latest novel, "Contrary to What Came Before," employs fantasy to escape the tragedies of his past. The Egyptian writer's work diverges from his previous novel, "What Sami Yacoub Saw," which was published seven years prior. Rather than merely continuing the same story, "Contrary to What Came Before" takes readers on a journey beyond storytelling, delving into reflection and the examination of diverse human experiences.

The narrative explores various settings, shifting between urban and rural environments, as well as between the lives of the powerful and wealthy and those of ordinary and marginalized individuals. Throughout the novel, the situations presented are presented impartially, allowing the reader to become a participant in their details.

The protagonist, Sami Yacoub, leaves behind a life in Cairo following a distressing encounter with security officers who searched his phone, reminiscent of the loss of his father and brother during the 2011 revolution.

Sami relocates to Tell al-Masakhit, settling in his grandfather's villa, seeking a new life. However, he encounters problems and catastrophes that he handles with indifference. The novel raises the question, "Who would leave this paradise?" as Sami grapples with the allure of the rural environment and its simpler forms of life. Sami's escape from the city's anxiety and confusion seems to offer him a chance to reclaim his life.

The novel explores themes of life, death, and renewal, inviting readers to ponder the possibility of hope and transformation in various forms of existence.