Set in the early 20th century Graphite is a novel pertaining to the opposites. Between the inauguration of the infamous Muslim Brotherhood clan & the liberal movements emerging in Egypt at the time the characters undergo a struggle as envisaged through the heroine Nawal Aref. Nawal is not only the envoy to the Sorbonne in Paris for completion of her university studies but also the companion of Dorreya Shafiq the icon of women’s liberation & rights in Egypt at the time. In the background are characters that truly reflect the melting pot the then young Egypt was; with a mixture of population encompassing Egyptians, Jews, Armenians & Greeks. Through the personal struggle & strife of Nawal on a background of real & well studied historical events the novel goes on to portray life in that era particularly where it comes to domestic & social oppression of women and their subsequent demands. This is relayed over the period the novel takes place starting in 1928 through 1951. Graphite was nominated for the long list of the Arab Booker Award as well as being extremely well received by noted critics among whom are Dr. Salah Fadl & Mr. Alaa Al Deeb.