Michael Maurice Prince
Encyclopedia
Michael Maurice Prince sometimes referred to only as Michael Prince or M. M. Prince (as he always signs his works), is an Egyptian writer. Born to a pious Coptic
family in the Upper Egyptian town of Naga Hammadi, and studied medicine at Assiut University
for seven years, Michael became deeply immersed and experienced in Upper Egyptian town atmosphere and life-style, and the Coptic cultural and religious heritage. He is well-read both in Arabic and English, and is considering writing in English as he has written in his blog. His only published work (a novel: Assiut Citystan أسيوط سيتي ستان) exhibits his influence by the classics
, but also compiles elements both of literary realism
and modernism
. He has also published one short story Al-Fitna (The Strife) in Akhbar al-Adab
, an Egyptian literary magazine on August 13, 2010.
. On being asked whether he preferred to be considered as a Coptic voice, he said he objected to being classified as Coptic writer or intellectual, citing the cases of Graham Greene
and some contemporary Jewish American writers. He stated that Assiut Citystan might be considered as a Coptic novel dealing with issues pertinent to the Copts' life and struggle in Egypt, but not necessarily the author. When was asked if he thought that the Muslim Brotherhood
were more "open-minded" than other religious political powers in Egypt, he robustly disagreed and said "This is never the standard." He expressed his view that being "more open-minded" than others would not do; for instance, "Salafi
Muslims were more open-minded than Al-Qaeda." He iterated the need for "a new public culture based on respect of the constitution and the law" to counter the religious fundamentalism and the persecution of Copts
in Egypt. At the end of the show, the host expressed his concern that the novel might attract attention from fundamentalists as a result of its trenchant critique of society, particularly its religious aspect. Michael answered that, should that happen, he would see to it as wisely as he could.
.
Coptic
Coptic may refer to:*The Copts: were a major ethnic group in Egypt. This term described all the people living in Egypt under Roman rule during the 4th to 6th centuries A.D., and until the Muslims took over....
family in the Upper Egyptian town of Naga Hammadi, and studied medicine at Assiut University
Assiut University
Assiut University is a public university in Asyut, Egypt. The University was established in 1957 to encourage research, education and community services in Upper Egypt.Languages of Instruction are Arabic and English...
for seven years, Michael became deeply immersed and experienced in Upper Egyptian town atmosphere and life-style, and the Coptic cultural and religious heritage. He is well-read both in Arabic and English, and is considering writing in English as he has written in his blog. His only published work (a novel: Assiut Citystan أسيوط سيتي ستان) exhibits his influence by the classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
, but also compiles elements both of literary realism
Literary realism
Literary realism most often refers to the trend, beginning with certain works of nineteenth-century French literature and extending to late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century authors in various countries, towards depictions of contemporary life and society "as they were." In the spirit of...
and modernism
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
. He has also published one short story Al-Fitna (The Strife) in Akhbar al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab is a literary Arabic weekly newspaper founded by Egyptian novelist and editor-in-chief Gamal Al-Ghitani.*Current editor-in-chief: Gamal El-Ghitani*Current senior editor: Ezzat el Kamhawi...
, an Egyptian literary magazine on August 13, 2010.
Asir al-Kotob Interview
On July 17, 2011, Prince was interviewed in the book-based TV show Asir al-Kotob (Books' Juice) by the author Belal FadlBelal Fadl
Belal Fadl is a screenplay writer, ex-journalist and a column writer at Almasry Alyoum born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. Fadl has roots from Alexandria.- Filmography :Belal Fadl's work:*Haha we tofaha -...
. On being asked whether he preferred to be considered as a Coptic voice, he said he objected to being classified as Coptic writer or intellectual, citing the cases of Graham Greene
Graham Greene
Henry Graham Greene, OM, CH was an English author, playwright and literary critic. His works explore the ambivalent moral and political issues of the modern world...
and some contemporary Jewish American writers. He stated that Assiut Citystan might be considered as a Coptic novel dealing with issues pertinent to the Copts' life and struggle in Egypt, but not necessarily the author. When was asked if he thought that the Muslim Brotherhood
Muslim Brotherhood
The Society of the Muslim Brothers is the world's oldest and one of the largest Islamist parties, and is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states. It was founded in 1928 in Egypt by the Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna and by the late 1940s had an...
were more "open-minded" than other religious political powers in Egypt, he robustly disagreed and said "This is never the standard." He expressed his view that being "more open-minded" than others would not do; for instance, "Salafi
Salafi
A Salafi come from Sunni Islam is a follower of an Islamic movement, Salafiyyah, that is supposed to take the Salaf who lived during the patristic period of early Islam as model examples...
Muslims were more open-minded than Al-Qaeda." He iterated the need for "a new public culture based on respect of the constitution and the law" to counter the religious fundamentalism and the persecution of Copts
Persecution of Copts
Copts are native Egyptian Christians, usually Orthodox, who currently make up around 10% of the population of Egypt — the largest religious minority of that country...
in Egypt. At the end of the show, the host expressed his concern that the novel might attract attention from fundamentalists as a result of its trenchant critique of society, particularly its religious aspect. Michael answered that, should that happen, he would see to it as wisely as he could.
Current Status
Michael works now as a psychiatric resident and lives in Cairo. His first novel, Assiut Citystan, has been listed for the Arabic Booker Prize. His second work planned for publication is a novel (Sonquor’s Crime جريمة سنقر), in which he experiments with the vernacularVernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
.