Forster spent part of the First World War in Alexandria, and these short pieces are the result. The first half visits the ancient city: its lighthouse, Alexander’s return from Siwa, Philo, Clement and Athanasius, and theological quarrels. The second turns to modern scenes, from Eliza Fay’s travels to the cotton exchange and the poet Cavafy, two of whose poems appear in translation.
Light, ironic and learned, and the book that introduced Cavafy to many English readers. Download the free EPUB.