The Ancestors and Successors Hexagon -Part V: Youssef Without His Brothers

Part V: Youssef Without His Brothers
“Crimes committed by the ancestors are paid for by the successors... But what good is a truth that always comes too late?”

In this part of The Ancestors and Successors Hexagon, Sidi Youssef Al-Qaramanli continues his efforts to preserve the unity of the Kingdom of Tripolitania and maintain international relations with embassies and consulates through agreements and understandings that are short-lived at time. Napoleon Bonaparte—one of the novel's central characters—makes a failed attempt to conquer Egypt; Meanwhile, Sidi Youssef refuses to hand out power to his brother, Ahmed Bey, after killing their elder brother, Hassan Basha, in the previous part of the hexagon.

Throughout the novel, the rivalry between Youssef and Ahmed intensifies. Youssef is portrayed as pragmatic and politically astute, adept at managing the threats posed by foreign powers, while Ahmed is depicted as a dreamer with mystical tendencies, longing to reclaim the throne. “He who decides to claim the throne must await a fate worse than conspiracy, for a throne is a secret guarded by demons!” Youssef Basha Al-Qaramanli ultimately overcomes the challenges posed by his rivals, consolidating his rule over the Kingdom of Tripolitania. His cunning, wisdom, and strength enable him to withstand foreign threats, proving him to be the more capable ruler.

In Youssef Without His Brothers, Al-Koni retains his distinctive narrative style, seamlessly blending religious stories with desert myths. The novel centers on the internal struggle between mind and soul, illustrating how Man must adapt to the times rather than resist them. Al-Koni reflects on the inexorable law of nature, which does not tolerate Man's failure to continue a journey. Instead, Man must persevere; Still, in this journey, isolation is often the fate of the victor, not the defeated.