Tawfik al-Hakim (1898–1987) was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He studied law in Paris before returning to Egypt, where he worked for a time as a Public Prosecutor in a small provincial town. A prolific writer, Al-Hakim wrote many plays, several volumes of short stories and essays, three novels and a memoir. His first novel, The Return of the Spirit (1933), captured the Arab mood of national awakening and won its author immediate acclaim. Diary of a Country Prosecutor, first published as Maze of Justice, was his second novel. Known as the father of modern Arab theatre, al-Hakim was an innovative playwright who influenced a generation of Arab dramatists. His writings explore philosophical and religious issues and deal with social questions, such as the position of women, the individual’s quest for freedom within society, and the pursuit of happiness in a world scarred by war, disease and poverty. He died in Cairo on 26 July 1987.