Where the Library Hides

Where the Library Hides is a work of historical fiction set in Egypt in 1885 at the beginning of British colonial rule. While many of the characters and events Ibañez depicts in the novel are fictional, the real history of the area plays a significant role in the narrative.

During the 19th century, Egypt was a province of the Ottoman Empire, albeit self-governing, positioned between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Suez Canal, built between 1859 and 1869, created a new link between Europe and its Asian colonies, particularly British-controlled India. By the 1870s, however, Egypt was burdened by crippling debt due to extravagant spending by Khedive Isma’il Pasha. To address the financial instability, Isma’il sold Egypt’s stake in the canal to Britain in 1875.

Financial control soon turned into political domination. The Anglo-French Dual Control system, established in 1876, placed Egypt under direct European economic supervision. Dissatisfaction among Egyptians, exacerbated by heavy taxation and foreign dominance, led to nationalist uprisings. The Urabi Revolt (1879-82) was led by Colonel Ahmed Urabi, who wanted to end foreign interference and restore Egyptian sovereignty. In response, Britain staged a military intervention. They bombarded the city of Alexandria in July 1882, the results of which are evident in the novel when the characters travel to the city in Part 3 and pass through the Place des Consuls, which was “left ruined and in utter destruction by the bombardment of the British” (216). Ultimately, the British defeated Urabi’s forces in the Battle of Tel El Kebir in September 1882. The battle marked the beginning of British occupation, which lasted until 1956.

Following the military occupation of Egypt, Britain established a system of indirect rule. While Egypt remained nominally under the Ottoman Empire and was governed by a khedive, real power rested with the British authorities. The British Consul-General effectively dictated policy. From 1883 to 1907, Lord Evelyn Baring held the position. Judiciary, military, and financial institutions were placed under British supervision, limiting the autonomy of Egyptian officials.

In addition, British fascination with ancient Egypt surged, a phenomenon known as Egyptomania. British archaeologists and scholars, funded by colonial authorities and private collectors, conducted extensive excavations. Monsieur Gaston Maspero, a French Egyptologist (a character in the novel), served as the director of the Egyptian Antiquities Service from 1881 to 1886 and from 1899 to 1914. While Maspero advocated for stricter regulations, the obsession with Egyptian antiquities led to widespread looting and smuggling. In addition, artifacts were transported to European museums, such as the British Museum in London, where many items remain today despite attempts to repatriate them.