There are a million characters in this book.  It's hard to follow in the beginning.  Like walking down a street in Cairo, a person can not take it all in at once.  At first you find bits that catch your interest.  And then suddenly you're caught up in the city and the characters.  There are such a limited number of paths a woman can take in Egypt, I do not fault any of these women for doing what they can to find their way to comfort.