Remembering a legend: Egyptian author Anis Mansour

CAIRO – 21 October 2021: Today marks the death of legendary Egyptian author Anis Mansour.

Mansour died at the age of 87  and left more than 150 books, ranging from novels, plays, critical books, article collections, translations, religious and philosophical books.
 

Mansour is famous for his witty and attractive writing style that is more artistic than journalistic. When it came to his travels, he was very descriptive. He makes the readers feel like they are experiencing the trips first hand. His writing style made him popular among today’s readers.
 

He started his career in journalism in many prestigious official newspapers, such as Akhbar El Youm, Al Helal and Al Ahram.
 

Former President Anwar Sadat assigned him to found October Magazine.
Mansour directed a number of newspapers and magazines, such as October, Akher Saaa’, El Geel, and Heya.
 

He also wrote one of the most read daily columns, entitled “Mawaqef”.
Having passion in philosophy, Mansour explained and clarified most of the philosophical movements and thoughts in his books about Existentialism, such as “El Wogodeyah” (Existentialism) and “El Wogood Wi El Aadam” (Existence and Nothingness).

Mansour also wrote a number of books inspired by his teacher, literature and philosophy giant Abbas Al Akkad.
 

“Fi Saloon Al Akkad Kanat Lana Ayam” (Days We Lived in Al Akkad’s Saloon) is one of Mansour’s best sellers.
 

Searching in metaphysics and history, he composed many books about aliens and ghosts, such as “Arwah Wi Ashbah” (Souls and Ghosts), “El Lazen Habato Men El Samaa” (Who Came from Space), and “Laa’net El Faraa’na” (Pharaohs’ Curse).

Mansour also translated a big number of European plays, books and critical studies, such as “Romulus the Great”.
 

“El Khaledoon 100 Aa’zamhom Mohamed” (Mohamed, the Greatest of the 100 Immortal Figures) is one of the best known of Mansour’s translations.
 

Being a great philosopher and thinker, Mansour also composed religious spiritual books, for example “Talaa’ El Badr Aalayna” (The Moon Has Risen Over Us). He was inspired by Prophet Mohamed’s “Hijra”, or immigration, from Mecca to Yethrab (Medina).

His book “Men El Lazi La Yoheb Fatima” (Who Does Not Love Fatima) turned into a very famous series entitled “Men Ely May7ebesh Fatmah” (Who Doesn’t Love Fatima).

Being the master of travel literature, Mansour enhanced the existence of this genre in Arabic literature.
 

He wrote a large number of amusing travel books; on the top of the list is “Hawl El Aalam Fi 200 Youm” (Around the World in 200 Days).