Guirguis the Torchbearer

A historical novel on Egypt, in the first half of the eighth century. It is a story of both peace and strife. It shows the importance of personal ties and their influence on the general tone of politics. It gives a panoramic view of the Copts and how valiant and strong they were and the qualities imbued by their faith and their love for the church. The basis of the novel was inspired by an Arabic manuscript kept in La Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. It mentioned a believer who was a friend of the Wali and had a great influence on him.