Al aswany pursues the same formula here which he introduced in yacoubian building and in what followed thereafter. He combines a sensitive social perspective with details of egyptian daily life, and he presents a blend of melodrama and nostalgia for the. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column, al aswany makes his living as a dentist in cairo. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany translated by humphrey daviesharper perennial, 2006, 255 pp. The yacoubian building of the title is a microcosm of much of cairo, and in telling the stories of various of its denizens alaa al aswany offers a colourful picture of contemporary egypt. Read a sample read a sample read a sample enlarge book cover audio excerpt. All live in the yacoubian building, a onceelegant temple of art deco splendor slowly decaying in the smog and hubbub of downtown cairo, egypt. Imarat yaqubyan is a novel by egyptian author alaa al aswany. Voice of reason interview with the author, national geographic interactive, nd. The first edition of the novel was published in 2002, and was written by alaa al aswany. The yacoubian building audiobook by alaa al aswany. Alaa alaswany, bestselling egyptian novelist known especially for his social commentary and vocal criticism of the egyptian government. Hidden lives many of the characters in this novel lead hidden lives. The yacoubian building is the sort of dense neighbourhood novel which, though quite out of.
For the eponymous film, see the yacoubian building film. Alaa al aswany became a contributing opinion writer for the international new york times in the fall of 20. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the yacoubian building. There are very few morally pure characters in the text, at least when they are at home. The yacoubian building is a novel about modernday cairo, using the residents of the building as a broad crosssection of egyptian society. Alaa al aswany is currently considered a single author. Built in the 1930s, the building was an architectural gem that housed the cream of society, but it underwent considerable change over the decades that. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany goodreads. The following are excerpts from the yacoubian building by egyptian author alaa al aswany. The book was made into a film of the same name in 2006 and into a tv series in 2007. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column, al.
The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany, humphrey t. The novelist alaa al aswany places his emigre characters in post911 chicago. About nyc alaa al aswanys creative writing workshop. August book sense picka fading aristocrat and selfproclaimed scientist of women. Al aswany is the author of sixteen literary worksnovels, short story collections, and compendiums of his articles. The yacoubian building holds all that egypt was and has become over the 75 years since its namesake was built.
This is true of alaa al aswany s novel from 2002, the yacoubian building imarat yaqubyan. Alaa al aswany s novel caused an unprecedented stir when it was first published in 2002 and has remained the worlds best selling novel in the arabic language since. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. The yacoubian building is a novel by egyptian author alaaalaswany. Free download or read online the yacoubian building pdf epub book. The bestselling author of he yacaoubian building and hicago turns his attention to current affairs in egypt. Malaak as ahmed bedeir hind sabri retrieved from s. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 256 pages and is available in paperback format. Through their various exploits, we learn about businessmen, politics, closet homosexuality, students, entrepeneurs and families living hand to mouth. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany in chm, epub, fb3 download ebook. The main characters of this fiction, northern africa story are. On this particular day 10 th of august we were meeting to discuss a great book by one of the incredible writers, alaa al aswany.
All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. I think its safe to say alaa is one of our favourite authors, based on the discussion and the number of people that showed up, the energy was the same when we discussed his other book the automobile club of. The author of the highly acclaimed the yacoubian building returns with a story of love, sex, friendship, hatred, and ambition set in chicago, with a cast of. Alaa alaswany s latest work explores class divisions, corruption and injustice as the masters take the servants for a ride in 1940s cairo. It has been reported to be the highestbudgeted film in the history of egyptian cinema. Alaaalaswanys the yacoubian building 2004 renders a scathing portrayal of modern egyptian society since the revolution of 1952.
I found the novel both well written and structured. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Although set in the 1990s and published in 2002, alaa al aswany s novel the yacoubian building conveys the corruption and brutality that led to explosive revolutions in egypt from 2011. The author of the highly acclaimed the yacoubian building returns with a story of love, sex, friendship, hatred, and ambition set in chicago, with a cast of american and arab characters achingly human in their desires and needs. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany book read online. Using the title building as his center aswany portrays a diverse group of contemporary cairenes to demonstrate the experience of living in the world of egypt today. Many enjoy vices of all sorts, or behavior that society might consider immoral or scandalous, whether alcohol, homosexuality, or drugs. Alaa al aswany is the internationally bestselling author of the yacoubian building and chicago. Buy the yacoubian building reprint by aswany, alaa al, davies, humphrey isbn. Al aswany was chosen to be among 21 international writers to publish a monthly column in the new york times for one year.
Al aswany, born in 1957, originally trained as a dentist, and still has his own. Where alaa al aswany is writing from, new york times magazine, 27 april 2008. From the pious son of the building s doorkeeper and the raucous, impoverished squatters on its roof, via the tattered aristocrat and the gay. Tragicomic, passionate, shockingly frank in its sexuality, and brimming with an extraordinary, embracing human compassion, the yacoubian building is a literary achievement of the first order.
Alaa al aswany has emerged, in the decade since the publication of his first novel, the yacoubian building, as the most popular writer in egypt and the most prominent egyptian writer in the. This 41page guide for the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Zineb bellamine is currently reading it sep 08, perhaps she feels too defiled to be worthy of immeubpe so innocent and decent as taha, and she seems hardened a reader has pointed out that she is much poorer in the book than here. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This 57page guide for the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. In the novels and short stories of alaa al aswany, characters struggle with class differences, police brutality, poverty, sexual harassment, and political corruption. As yacoubian building heads west, the author discusses the storys message, daily star egypt, 8 december 2005.
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