Tawfiq al-Hakim (1898-1987) is considered one of the most significant figures in twentieth-century Arabic literature and Return of the Spirit is one of Egypt's most important novels. Al-Hakim is also known as the founder of modern Egyptian drama.

"Return of the Spirit I believe marked the true birth of the Arabic novel...[it] was a bombshell."⁠—Naguib Mahfouz

Tawfiq al-Hakim (1898-1987) is considered one of the most significant figures in twentieth-century Arabic literature and Return of the Spirit is one of Egypt's most important novels. Al-Hakim is also known as the founder of modern Egyptian drama.

"Return of the Spirit I believe marked the true birth of the Arabic novel...[it] was a bombshell."⁠—Naguib Mahfouz