February1946:CairoisengulfedbydemonstrationsagainsttheBritish.Layla’solderbrotherMahmudreturns,woundedintheclashes,andtheeventsofthatfatefuldaymarkaturningpointinherlife,anawakeningtotheworldaroundher.Latifaal-Zayyat’sacclaimedmodernclassicfollowsLaylathroughhersexualandpoliticalcomingofage.Herrebelliousspiritseekstofreeitselffromthestiflingsocialcodesthatdictateayoungwoman’slife,justasEgyptstrugglestoshakeofftheyokeofimperialistrule.
