Part 1 In the house of memory -- Chap. 1 Egypt : the background -- Chap. 2 From colonial to postcolonial -- Chap. 3 In expectation of angels -- Chap. 4 Transitions -- Chap. 5 Harem -- Chap. 6 School days -- Chap. 7 Suez -- Chap. 8 The harem perfected -- Part 2 Running from the flames that lit the sky -- Chap. 9 Penalties of dissent -- Chap. 10 In the groves of white academe -- Chap. 11 On becoming an Arab -- Chap. 12 From Abu Dhabi to America -- Epilogye : Cairo moments.