The novel follows a middle-class Egyptian family living in Cairo in the early 20th century. A young student, Mohsen, moves from the countryside to live with his relatives while studying. In the household, several family members become emotionally involved with their beautiful neighbor Suniyah, leading to jealousy, romantic tension, and personal conflicts.
Their private lives are later overshadowed by the outbreak of the 1919 Egyptian Revolution against British occupation. As national protests grow, individual concerns such as love and personal ambition give way to a shared sense of unity and patriotism.
The story highlights the awakening of the Egyptian people, showing how personal struggles merge with the broader political and national awakening of the country.