Children of Gebelaawi by Naguib Mahfouz (1997, Paperback, Revised)

First published as a serial in Al-Ahram, the most popular newspaper in Egypt, The Children of Gebalaawi, also translated to The Children of the Alley, quickly caught the public's attention for two reasons: it is an engagingly complex allegorical narrative and it was banned before the entirety of the story was printed.

On the surface, Mahfouz tells a fascinating tale of the history of an extended family and its mafioso style patriarch. But dig a little deeper and the reader will find a religious history of mankind beginning with the creation of Adam and ending with faith's replacement by science.

This fascinating novel is an absolute MUST read!