This captivating collection of eleven fictional letters, spanning from ancient Egypt to the modern era, offers a fresh perspective on Egyptian history.

By blending historical facts with fictional narratives, El-Emary invites readers to experience history firsthand and explore the lives of both historical figures and ordinary Egyptians.

Through these personal notes, the author provides a compelling narrative that traces the evolution of Egyptian identity and delves into the complexities of nationhood.

Voyeuristic reading
 

This curated collection of intimate letters arranged chronologically offers a unique and voyeuristic glimpse into Egypt's layered identity.

The author's epistolary format invites readers to become virtual voyeurs, eavesdropping on individuals' private thoughts and confessions from different historical periods.

By uncovering the intimate correspondences, readers can connect with the past on a deeply personal level.

The letters reveal the hopes, fears, and aspirations of those who lived through significant historical events, offering a unique perspective on the human condition.

This epistolary fiction uses a first-person narrative, offering a sense of authenticity and intimacy. Readers can directly access the characters' thoughts and feelings.

We are privy to a love confession from the pharaoh Amenhotep III to his beloved Tiye.

We witness an Egyptian girl’s forbidden love for a Roman soldier, confessed in a letter to her sister.

We are acquainted with Omar through his letter to his father during the Tulunid Dynasty, dated January 896.

Another letter from Ismail to his brother reveals details of career ambition and social injustice during Qaraqush's rule in the 12th century.

One letter to the Khedive offers a glimpse into a girl’s newfound happiness with the right to education.

We also eavesdrop on a budding romance during the mobilization against British occupation in the 1920s.

We also read Fareed's bitter confessions of jealousy and envy to his friend in 1964 and, later, a love confession by proxy during the defeat of 1967.

Readers become active participants in the unfolding story by piecing together the narrative and its historical context. El-Emary skilfully crafts a sense of authenticity and immediacy, allowing readers to feel as if they are privy to private conversations and personal thoughts, thereby bringing historical figures and events to life.

Very Private Letters is inspired by classic epistolary novels like Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). Stoker drew readers directly into the narrative by using a series of letters, diary entries, and telegrams.

Combined with historical references and contemporary language, this technique grounds Dracula's story in a specific period, enhancing the reader's sense of realism and immersion.

This approach is also reminiscent of more recent literary works like Alice Walker's The Colour Purple (1982), where the power of Celie's letters and a commitment to realism offer a moving, realistic portrayal of the human experience.

A nation's inbox
 

El-Emary employs the epistolary format to give voice to the voiceless. Whether the epistolary figure is a historical figure, a fictional character, or a combination of both, it allows readers to personally connect with the imagined collective past.

This approach offers a rich historical perspective, exploring the political, social, and cultural landscapes that have shaped the nation's identity.

The book's chronological structure allows readers to trace the evolution of Egyptian history through the eyes of its inhabitants.

Very Private Letters provides a window into the past, offering a glimpse into historical events and social conditions.

El-Emary created a sense of authenticity and historical accuracy by using real historical figures or fictional characters inspired by real people. The intimate letters mention different rulers, giving a realistic frame to each historical plot.

Centred around the relationship of an Egyptian citizen with the changing rulers over the course of history, each letter delves into personal stories while documenting the social and political struggles of Egyptians under various regimes.

The book invites readers to explore the complexities of Egyptian history, uncovering the events and stories that shape a nation.

While some readers might have witnessed similar events detailed in the 1967 letter, a younger reader would connect to Reem's letter to her grandma describing her visit to Luxor in 2024.

The book challenges readers to question their own assumptions about nationhood and identity and to consider the diverse perspectives that shape our understanding of belonging.

It also presents a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about identity, culture, and the ever-evolving concept of nationhood and identity.

The author's selective choice of historical eras to shape the narrative reflects her personal perspective on Egyptian history and identity.

She takes a more subjective approach by omitting certain periods, highlighting her unique perspective and personal connection to Egypt's past and present.

The collection begins with a letter from a pharaonic king and concludes with a letter written during a visit to a pharaonic temple, symbolically bridging the gap between ancient and modern Egypt.

The book is dedicated to Major General Mohamed Abdel-Wahed, an Egypt expert and security specialist who provided the author with crucial historical insights to enhance the authenticity of the stories.

Eman El-Emary, a journalist for Hawa magazine, has previously published several novels, including The Cruise of the Dreams, The Heart Always Wins, You Are My Captive, We Won't Be Separated, New Year's Eve, The Battle of Love, and My Love. She also won the prestigious Akhbar El-Adab Award for her short story Al-Miqaad Al-Khaly (The Empty Seat) in 1994.