Translated by Jonathan Wright, Taxi by Khaled Al Khamissi is a sharp, engaging portrait of Cairo told through 58 fictional monologues from its taxi drivers. Blending humor, frustration, and resilience, these voices reveal the complexities of modern Egypt with raw honesty and deep humanity. A bestseller in the Arab world, Taxi offers global readers a rare glimpse into the heart of Egyptian street life.



Khaled Al Khamissi is an Egyptian writer, cultural activist, and public intellectual best known for his bestselling debut Taxi (2006). Born in Cairo in 1962, Al Khamissi holds degrees in political science and international relations from Cairo University and the Sorbonne. His work bridges literature and social commentary, exploring the everyday lives and political realities of Egyptians. In addition to writing, he is a prominent voice in cultural policy and arts advocacy in the Arab world.