Introduction The book "Letters from Egypt" by the British writer Lady Lucy Duff Gordon, recently released by Dar Al-Yasmine and translated by the Egyptian novelist Ibrahim Abdel Mageed, includes 130 letters written by the British author during her stay in Egypt to recover from tuberculosis. These letters were written between 1862 and 1869, the period in which she succumbed to the illness and was buried in Cairo.
In the book's introduction, Abdel Mageed speaks not only of Lady Duff
Gordon as a great writer and translator in the history of English literature
but also focuses on her letters to her husband, mother, daughters, and son.
These letters have garnered significant attention and popularity.
Subject Matter Abdel Mageed delves into the life of Lucy Duff Gordon in
Egypt, particularly her residence in Luxor (southern Egypt) at the "French
House," affiliated with the French Embassy. He narrates her encounters
with various individuals, those who served her, and those she mentioned in her
letters. The narrative extends to her journeys in Egypt.
Lady Duff Gordon noticed the prevalence of diseases among the locals and
assumed the role of a healer, treating Egyptians with herbal remedies despite
the presence of doctors in Egypt. At that time, Egyptians did not trust
government doctors, making her the sole savior in Luxor and surrounding areas,
earning her fame and gifts from the people.
She expressed admiration for her servants and celebrated the Egyptian
nature, portraying it with high artistic description. Lady Duff Gordon
responded to stereotypes, refuting the notion that Egyptians could only be
governed with a stick, stating that any population can be governed with force
if those wielding the power go unchecked. She also addressed misconceptions
about Muslim-Christian relations, challenging stereotypes she had not
witnessed.
The book highlights issues often overlooked, emphasizing that Egyptians
bore the cost of the development led by Khedive Ismail. Taxation on men, women,
livestock, and transactions led to the abandonment of lands and widespread
devastation.
Lady Duff Gordon emphasized that the beginning of democratic life
required a representative council or a constitution for the country. She
criticized the oppressive practices of the Khedive and his soldiers, including
theft, plunder, violence, and torture, as well as military service and external
debts, making life unbearable for the Egyptian people.
The ruler, perceived as enlightened in Europe, was seen as the one who
ruined the country. Egyptians implored Lady Duff Gordon to be their voice in
European press and to seek England's intervention to liberate them from Ottoman
oppression.
The book extensively explores the East and West, religious practices,
myths, and stories. Lady Duff Gordon criticized authors who wrote about the
East in general and Egypt in particular. The book includes many stories about
slaves, especially young slaves and women. The Egyptian woman is portrayed with
almost sacred status, described in a simple language as per George Meredith's description
of the letters and stories that embody everything.
Conclusion In her letters, Lady Duff Gordon presented a human
perspective of real life in Egypt and its people, referring to them as
"Arabs." She discussed the Bedouins and the impact of Arabs since
their entry into Egypt. The book is not without humor and the spirit of fun
that Egyptians possess, and Lady Duff Gordon herself enjoyed. It also includes
a portrayal of the mythical and imaginative aspect of Egyptians' understanding
of life.
الترجمة
رسائل من مصر
Lady Duff Gordon
مقدمه
يتضمن كتاب «رسائل من مصر»، للكاتبة البريطانية لوسي دوف جوردون، الذي
صدر حديثاً عن «دارالياسمين»، وقام بترجمته الروائي المصري إبراهيم عبد المجيد،
مائة وثلاثين رسالة كتبتها الأديبة البريطانية في أثناء وجودها في مصر للشفاء من
مرض السل، بين عامي 1862 و1869، الذي توفيت متأثرة به، ودفنت في القاهرة.
في مقدمته للكتاب، يتحدث عبد المجيد عنها ليس بوصفها كاتبة ومترجمة كبيرة في تاريخ الأدب الإنجليزي، ولا عن إنجازها العظيم من الكتب رغم سنوات عمرها القليلة (1821 - 1869)، لكنه يركز على رسائل جوردون إلى زوجها ووالدتها وبناتها وابنها ، وقد حظيت الرسائل باهتمام ورواج كبير.
