A fascinating, complex and engrossing read that kept me hooked.
The author delivers a story with a dual time line, now and the 20th century Alexandria, an unreliable narrator who can't remember some parts of her life and a solid mystery.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
This is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Published at the link below on 4th April 2021

A tin of old postcards hold half a century of secrets in this excellent novel from Carol Cooper. The Girls from Alexandria reminded me very much of Elizabeth is Missing, as Nadia struggles with holes in her memory while trying to find out what happened to her sister Simone over fifty years before.

The book paints two very vivid pictures in its dual timeline and they could not be more different. A young Nadia lives a relatively affluent life in cosmopolitan Alexandria, even in the midst of political upheaval, while the elderly Nadia languishes in an over-stretched hospital, where compassion is hard to come by. This second location is hugely depressing, and you would hope that a lot of the elements were fictionalised to some extent!

Each section of the book set in Egypt is alive with the atmosphere of the late 50s as the pieces of Nadia and Simone’s stories leading up to Simone’s disappearance leave clues that Nadia desperately tries to pick at in her later years and it’s interesting to see her make connections as an adult between things that would never have occurred to a child.

This book is very much character-driven and Nadia is not all that she appears at the beginning of the book. It’s incredibly frustrating to see her trapped in a hospital bed, with the medical staff not even believing that she had a sister in the first place – the vindication when she is able to prove that Simone was real is incredibly rewarding!

I found the sections dealing with the political situation in Egypt fascinating, from Nasser to the Arab Spring, and there was a deep sense of injustice in the treatment of women in Egypt running all through the book – snippets of Nadia and Simone’s lives show their dissatisfaction with that status quo too.

It’s clear in every page of this book tht Carol Cooper is writing what she knows, and that gives the book so much extra depth – I highly recommend it.

Moving between Nadia’s confinement in a hospital bed and exotic 1950s Alexandria, this was a dual time story that totally gripped me from its opening pages – I settled down and read it from cover to cover in a single sitting, and found it both a fascinating and compelling read.

In the present day, Nadia is hospitalised and suffering both confusion and memory loss, fixated on the need to find her sister Simone who disappeared from her life over 50 years ago. The drawing of her hospital experience is searingly realistic – the inability of the busy staff to treat her as an individual, the not listening, the impatience, the discussions at the bedside. The doctors have decided that she’s destined for a move into care, an elderly mentally infirm assessment unit, and it only makes her need to find her sister all the more urgent. She has a box of precious postcards, sent by Simone from a variety of locations – the words on them are often enigmatic, words and phrases that might provide a clue to her whereabouts, and Nadia examines their detail obsessively in the hope that she can decipher their cryptic messages. When one kind nurse lends her an iPad and shows her how to use it, it opens up a whole new range of possibilities for her search, but time is running out.

As her memories are triggered, the story takes us to the Alexandria of her youth, initially a coming of age story set against a backdrop of Egypt through a time of enormous political and cultural change. But the story itself focuses more on family and relationships, seen through a child’s eyes, with a whole range of exotic and colourful characters – it’s richly detailed, and I was entirely transported to both the era and the location. Through a series of small remembered incidents, sometimes funny, sometimes disturbing, it paints a fascinating picture of the place of women in a patriarchal society – but if that makes it sound “dry”, it most certainly isn’t. There’s a tremendous vibrancy and energy about the writing, as Nadia meanders through her memories of life surrounded by her extended family and the assortment of dubious aunts and uncles, her child’s eye view not quite capturing the underlying seediness of their lives and some of their actions. And the narrative slowly moves us through Nadia’s life – her decisions as an adult that have had such an impact on her life, and brought her to the point where she’s alone in her hospital bed with her box of postcards.

The author captures characters and conveys them in a few deft strokes in a way I thought was quite exceptional – the hospital staff, her friend Sheila (her only visitor), the various people who’ve touched her life – and her facility in building the worlds her book inhabits quite took my breath away. And, always at the story’s centre, Nadia is a superb character – strong, determined, wryly funny – and you can’t help being firmly in her corner as others dismiss her quest for her missing sister as the product of her confused mind. As well as the fascination with her life, it’s that quest that makes the pages turn ever faster – and it all plays out totally deliciously, with a few surprises along the way. And the author’s emotional touch is simply perfect.

Very different, immersive and compelling, both funny and disturbing, totally unforgettable, I entirely loved this book – and Nadia will have a place in my heart forever. I recommend this one really highly – one of my books of the year.

(Review will be copied to Amazon UK on publication day)

*I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Girls from Alexandria is a straight up masterpiece - the writing is interesting and fluid and powerful, and the premise is brilliant. I haven't experienced anything in the mystery/thriller genre quite like this and I am here for it.

This story follows its protagonist Nadia in two prongs - as a 70 year old woman who has been hospitalised, and her early life reminiscensces up until present day. In the present Nadia is incredibly unwell - possibly with dementia - and hyper-fixated on finding her lost sister.

This is not a fast-paced, urgently terrifying psychological thriller. Instead it is quietly and insidiously worrisome - the big ticket thriller items (sexual assault, murder, general death) play out not for shock value but as inevitabilities in the lives of women. Its utterly gripping and yet also incredibly gentle.

For the duration the reader is hyper-aware of the possible fates awaiting both Nadia and her sister: Nadia is an elderly woman in a public hospital who is angry and terrified and confused and ignored. Her sister disappeared as a young woman where we have been made aware of the terrible fates young women in their circle have met. To weave usual Big Shock thriller items into the ordinary lives of these girls (in a way that women universally experience these things) and then to play on the fear of who we become and how we are treated in our old age is sort of. Brilliant? It's done masterfully.

This story explores the damage women suffer at the hands of men and society in its every-day-ness. It examines race and culture and family dynamics and trauma in an incredible way. It's exploration of what it is to navigate life as a woman at any age - particularly at the ages in which women are at their most invisible - is something that I find incredibly thought-provoking.

I'm probably going to do a much more in-depth break down at a later date but its safe to say for now everybody should read this book.

Nadia is an elderly woman in the hospital with memory problems. She may have had a brain biopsy or maybe just a fall or maybe it's dementia. She's not sure and can't remember. She can remember the events of 60 years earlier when her family lived in Egypt and is trying to piece her memories together to try to figure out what happened to her sister, Simone, who has been missing for 50 years. It definitely has an Elizabeth is Missing vibe. [Major spoiler] It was completely unbelievable that Nadia managed to find Simone in the way that she did. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

The Girls From Alexandria

Seventy-year-old Nadia is in a London hospital and not quite sure what’s going on. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and she keeps getting confused and misremembering. But one thing she’s sure of is that she needs to find her sister Simone, who she hasn’t seen in fifty years. The problem is, no one else believes Simone exists. Well, no one except the lovely nurse Deidre, who tries to help her find her sister before it's too late.

The author opens the book talking about how her inspiration for the story came from her own memories of growing up in Alexandria and you can really feel that authenticity radiating from the pages. The author offers the reader not only an insight into the cultural and political landscape of Egypt, but also an authentic perspective on how it feels to grow up in Alexandria, its multiculturalism and verve oozing from the pages. It is a fascinating, educational and thought-provoking read, the author touching on a variety of subjects such as family, identity, loss, loneliness and female empowerment.

Nadia is a character I won’t soon forget. It is impossible not to feel for her lying in hospital distressed, confused and alone. But there is so much more to her. She is a nuanced, funny, compelling and feisty character who is determined to find her sister by solving the brief, cryptic messages she wrote on decades-old postcards; even learning how to use the internet to search for answers. I enjoyed following her through timelines, countries and cultures as she revisited old memories and searched them for any small clue that might lead her to her beloved sister.

I will admit that it took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this story. The huge shift between the bleak British hospital where Nadia languishes alone and confused and the striking, sunny backdrop of Alexandria was difficult to follow at first, particularly as the flashbacks don’t follow a chronological order. But once I did I was engrossed, lost in Nadia’s story and fully invested in her search for Simone.

This novel is unlike anything else I’ve read. Merging historical fiction, mystery and coming-of-age fiction,, the author has crafted a multilayered, evocative and affecting story that will linger long after reading.

I always enjoy reading something out of my comfort zone and it’s a bonus when it concerns an area or a topic which I know nothing about. In this novel that area was Alexandria, I’m ashamed to say I had never even heard of it.

It’s a dual time frame novel where Nadia features in both. The modern day where Nadia is in hospital, aged 70 and being ignored by the medics who were going through the motions of providing care. The other part of the novel started in the 1950s and went through to modern day covering Nadia’s childhood and then her married life in Alexandria and London. And whilst I loved her wry approach to life and way of coping with being ignored in modern day I also enjoyed reading about a completely different way of life in Alexandria. There were parts that made me sad and wary but there were also parts that made me smile. I have never thought about how strange some of the British everyday phrases seem to those who aren’t used to them. I felt that Nadia, Fouad, and their many friends took a lot of pleasure in using them.

Like a few in the novel I wasn’t convinced by Simone’s existence at first. But as it progressed I wanted her to be real if for no other reason to make those who should have provided care to listen to Nadia. I hope that I have never have the misfortune to get doctors like the ones who feature here.

An absolutely wonderful novel that I read at a perfect time for me

Firstly, thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book.

This book moves between the past and present and could be considered as a historical fiction book.

In this book, we meet a woman trying to find herself.

I feel that this book is very hard to review. I did enjoy this book and I found it though provoking and emotive, however, I felt that there wasn’t enough content to make this a book - maybe a novella. There were a few bits of the storyline, which didn’t quite tie up and I love a clean ending and to feel like the book has been finalised. But I absolutely loved the characters and the actual journey.

The book again, is a slow paced book and I think as someone who loves fast paced books and a storyline that pulls me in and leaves me guessing, I am unable to give this book the review that it deserves. This book would be suited for someone who appreciates historic fiction writing a little bit more than me, at this current time.

What a fun story! I’ve discovered that I love the blend of historical fiction and thriller. I felt like I was being transported to a different time while also feeling anxiety but in the best way! The author did well cultivating back stories and tying each thread together seamlessly. Great book!

At age 70, Nadia wants to find her sister.

In moving between the 1950s and present day, the dual timelines of this story lead you through childhood memories and the hopes of finding Nadias sister after so long apart. Nadia may be elderly and confused coming out of a brain surgery, but she will never forget her sister Simone who seems to be missing. From her hospitable bed, in between dealing with vague nurses and dizzy spells, she hopes to piece together parts of her past involving her sister to find out whats really going on.
This story was hard to follow at times due to the dual timelines and numerous languages but overall a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Agora books for the digital ARC in exchange for honest review.

I adored this richly detailed story of two sisters growing up in Alexandria, Egypt in the 20th century. Alexandria was a beautiful and cultured, sophisticated and cosmopoliton city at this time. Sisters, Nadia and Simone are being raised in their father's household with other close family members. The girls enjoy a rich and priviledged life where they have grown up speaking Arabic, French, and English .They have servants who cater to their every want and need, such as carrying blocks of ice to the beach so they might have cold drinks. The girls are well educated and are exposed to various colorful characters, and an interesting mix of cultures in this beautiful provincial city of azure seas,brilliant sunshine, glorious sunsets and pristine beaches.

In the present day, Nadia lays in a hospital in London trying to get her bearings. She has awakened with a bandage around her head and is confused and disoriented. She isn't sure what has happened.. Is she ill or did she have an accident? The doctors and nurses aren't at all helpful in the busy hospital ward and just keep telling her she losing her memory. As she doses off trying to stay conscious she hears someone say she is alone and has no one, no family.. They say she must go to a care home within the next few days if no family is found. But wait, what are they saying? I have a sister, Nadia thinks, I must wake up and tell them. I must find my sister. But how do you find someone when no one believes she is missing? And Nadia hasn't seen Simone in 50 years.
With only a tin of old postcards that contained short and cryptic messages Simone sent home after she abruptly disappeared and her own fading memeories, Nadia exhibts strength and determination in her refusal to give up on finding her sister before it's too late.

This was a gorgeous book set in Alexandria during the 1950’s -1970’s and in present day UK (though thankfully slightly pre Covid).

Nadia is elderly and confused, lying in hospital after a supposed brain biopsy. She knows she wants to track down her sister but she hasn’t seen her for 50 years. She thinks back over key events in her childhood and what happened between the two of them.

It’s a period of time in Egypt that I’ve never looked at before which was very interesting. I liked that Nadia’s childhood memories weren’t necessarily in order but as they occurred to her in her confused state.

Overall, really enjoyed this!

The Girls from Alexandria is a decent read. The writing is a bit disjointed, which makes it difficult to keep up with the narrative. It’s a dual story: the present and from the 1950s forward. Nadia is looking for her sister Simone, who left Egypt, and whom she hasn’t seen in 50 years. In the end, some of the questions are answered, but the route there was c0nvaluted.

A novel of two sides. One a medical mystery and the other more psychological but it made for a good mix.

A story of sisterhood and painful secrets from the past. It did feel a little textbookish at times due to all the information about the culture and political situation of Alexandria, Egypt. However, overall, the book delves into a relationship of two sisters and a lifetime of secrets which makes for a fascinating read.

I loved learning about life in Alexandria in the mid 1900's. This was an excellent, heart wrenching mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Agora Books for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Moved by the brightly colored cover, I was ready to jump into a suspenseful beach read mystery in an enchanting locale and time period. The story skims the surface, skipping along a timeline like a stone jumping water over important moments and details I rather wanted to sink into. I longed for more character intimacy and action in the search for Nadia’s sister, and less sadness. Older Nadia’s snark is the best part of this book and I wish we were treated to more of her. Thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story moves between different times.

Now, Nadia is in an hospital in England. She's recovering from a seizure and with a bad memory and with no obvious family to care for her the hospital is making arrangements for her to go into a care home. She might be forgetting things but she clearly remembered her sister.

Then, is in Egypt, with her parents, extended family and her sister Simone. That is until Simone disappeared.

This is a fascinating book about life in Alexandria from the 1950's and the people in Nadia's life. The younger Nadia living her life as it was, the older Nadia desperately trying to hang on to her memories. I liked how it moved from different timelines, watching her from a young child to coming of age. The impact on her when her sister just vanished. It turns into quite the page turner as the mystery is unravelled. Very moving and heartfelt.

Although the idea behind the book appealed to me at first, I became rapidly annoyed by the continual use of French and Arabic terms throughout the dialogue. I can see that this was intended to give the story an exotic feel, but the premise quickly worn thin.
The main character, Nadia, seemed to lack depth and I felt that at various points her actions didn't equate with her age or the period in which the book was set.
Overall the book left me with the impression that there were inconsistencies which needed to be addressed and this rather spoilt the reading pleasure.
The descriptions of Alexandria are very evocative and certainly draw on personal experience.

What can I say!? This book needs to come with a caveat. If you have laundry to fold, Zoom meetings to digitally attend or a hungry spouse that needs feeding ( sorry, David!) then please don’t read this book because once you start, you will not stop. I desperately wanted to absorb the entire story as quickly as possible. The Girls of Alexandria is one of the most elegant, beautifully written, strikingly original books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I really don’t want to give too much away, but the author does a superb job dipping in and out of Nadia’s hazy memories and the confusing present day. This flows ever so seamlessly, just like the River Nile itself. Themes of death, child abuse, loneliness, lies, longing and loss are all touched upon in this startling read, mixed with a dash of humour here and there for good measure ( especially in the hospital chapters). Furthermore, you could say this book doubles as an educational read too as there is an excellent insight into Egypt's political history, plus I’ve learnt so much about the culture of Alexdrainian. I would highly recommend to everyone. Bravo! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Brilliant! Powerful and thought-provoking.
Part historical novel and part psychological thriller with medical puzzles, there are plenty of hooks to make this a page-turner. Is Nadia’s sister Simone still alive? Why did she disappear fifty years ago? What are the cryptic clues hidden in the postcards she sent? To make it even more of a puzzle for the reader, seventy-year-old Nadia’s short-term memory is befuddled and the impatient doctor keeps telling her she doesn’t have a sister.

The detective work on her present and past medical problems is as satisfying as an episode of ‘House’. The modern timeline is painfully realistic, from the oppression imposed by a hospital regime to the way her words go missing from Nadia’s memory. Thank goodness for the caring nurse Deirdre!
Although I wanted to know what happened during the sisters’ puberty and which of the men in their lives was guilty of some vile act, what I loved was the vivid evocation of multi-cultural Alexandria. It was no surprise to read that the author grew up there as the everyday detail of food, drink and social habits, is quite brilliant.
Lawrence Durrell’s ‘Alexandria Quartet’ has long been a favourite book and Carol Cooper immersed me once more in this most cosmopolitan of cities, from the 1950s to the present day. The terms from other languages added to the rich multi-cultural feel of Alexandrian society and were never confusing. The turbulent politics of Alexandria are described from a resident’s viewpoint, which is a fascinating eye-opener to this British reader.
To me, the male characters seemed either vile or a mere backdrop to the women’s relationships with each other, not just between the two blood sisters but also friends, relatives, nannies, maids and nurses. What matters in the novel is this strong sisterhood in which women sustain and comfort each other. This paved the way nicely for an ending which fitted the characters and story.

But did I LIKE the ending? Yes and no. It was slippery and nuanced, a satisfying resolution on the surface but with so much difficult ‘stuff’ underneath. Just like the book itself, demanding that the reader get involved and think about it. This would be a perfect read and discussion for any Book Club – recommended!