Wed love you to buy this book, and hope you find this page convenient in locating a place of purchase. Unfortunately, however, i found the books obsession with the sexual lives of its characters to be offputting at best. Based in egypt, and writing in arabic al aswany uses chicago to tell the story of how several different characters adjust to their new. In alaa alaswanys the automobile club of egypt, many of those working in the titular club face a terrible choice. The locale of the novel is university of illinois at chicago where the writer did his postgraduate studies. Alaa al aswany during his monthly seminar in the leadership and management development center on 25 april 20. Based in egypt, and writing in arabic al aswany uses chicago to tell the story of how several different characters adjust to their new life in chicago having left cairo to pursue their medical career. This isnt a novel designed for postcolonial theorists. In chicago alaa al aswany presents the crisscrossing stories of a number of egyptians abroad, clustered around the department of histology at the the university of illinois medical school.
Friendly fire, the first collection of short stories from alaa al aswany, acclaimed author of chicago and the yacoubian building, deftly explores the lives of contemporary egyptians. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany 1684 words. Shikagu is a novel by egyptian author alaaalaswany published in arabic in 2007 and in an english translation in 2007 the locale of the novel is university of illinois at chicago where the writer did his postgraduate studies. The book was initially published in arabic in the year 2002. Alaa al aswany is a wellknown egyptian writer whose previous book the yacoubian building was a bestseller. Bachelor degree of dental and oral medicine cairo university in 1980. Since the publication of his successful debut the yacoubian building 2004, alaa al aswany has become one of egypts most celebrated writers, a vocal opponent to the corruption and nepotism that have characterized president mubareks regime. Lexical obscurities, ambiguities of characterisation, tricksy narrative devices. In his deft new collection, the evercontroversial al aswany the yacoubian building again delves into the various miseries of modern egyptian life. Trained as a dentist in egypt and chicago, it took him 9 years to earn his degree from chicago national university where he spent 17 years in his life, alaswany has. Oct 07, 2008 alaa al aswany is a wellknown egyptian writer whose previous book the yacoubian building was a bestseller.
A dentist whose first office was in the yacoubian building, he has written prolifically for egyptian newspapers across the political spectrum on literature, politics and social issues. The yacoubian building, in 2002, alaa al aswany has catapulted to the. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Here are stories of generational conflict, corruption, repression, infidelity, and the. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany librarything. The links will take you to the web sites home page. Sep 07, 2008 alaa al aswany is definitely, defiantly, a storyteller. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. One of egypts most recognizable literary celebrities, he was a highprofile fixture of the 2011 tahrir. Due to its political content however, the book had to be published privately, but soon after its release it sold out in a month becoming one of the number 1 bestsellers of the arab world for more. Oct 03, 2008 a laa al aswany, the egyptian novelist, became famous overnight in the arab world with the publication of his first novel, the yacoubian building, in 2002.
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. Betool khedairi is a talented new voice in fiction. A sliceoflife story, it has no real plot but several interweaving character arcs. Pdf the yacoubian building book by alaa al aswany free.
Born in 1957, alaa alaswany is a dentist and writer who has written prolifically for egyptian newspapers on literature, politics and social issues. Alaa alaswany is an egyptian writer and a prominent member of the egyptian movement for change, kefaya. Rafat thabit, an egyptianamerican professor at the university of illinois. The yacoubian building by alaa alaswany 2006 not even. The yacoubian building, an actual landmark in cairo, is a building where the rich and poor of egyptian society can be found living or working.
Such a concentration of egyptian histologists, both as faculty and students, is hard to believe, but then so are many of aswanys american details but then chicago isnt. Alaa alaswany during his monthly seminar in the leadership and management development center on 25 april 20. Whatever their decisions, characters like alku, kamel, mahmud, and mr. Egyptian author al aswany the yacoubian building weaves a vivid tapestry of clashing cultures in post911 chicago. When the yacoubian building snared the affection of readers around the world, it gave alaa al aswany a clout in egypt denied to other kinds of dissident.
Apr 23, 2012 give yourself the gift of knowledge subscribe to big think edge. The yacoubian building is the sort of dense neighbourhood novel. The yacoubian building is a book written by an egyptian former dentist alaa al aswany. Having read the yacoubian building, i was interest in this new book and i think that it is good to read. Sep 02, 2008 have you not read alaa al aswany, the egyptian author of the yacoubian building. If youre interested in licensing this or any other big think c. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. Free download or read online the yacoubian building pdf epub book.
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. Al aswany, born in 1957, originally trained as a dentist, and still has his own. Alaa al aswany is that rarest of literary beasts, a bestselling novelist and practising dentist whose patients are essential to his creative process. Facebook post by alaa al aswany from nov 26, 2012 0 copy quote a fascinating book and a great pleasure to read. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column, al. Jan 26, 2007 the yacoubian building by egyptian novelist alaa al aswany has become an international literary phenomenon. Oct 07, 2008 in al aswanys followup to the yacoubian building 2005, egyptian students and professors find scant refuge in post911 chicago originally published in egypt in 2007, and a bestseller in france, the novel was inspired by the authors student days in the windy city. The yacoubian building, an actual landmark in cairo, is a building where the rich and poor of. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany, humphrey t. Alaswany, who is also author of the yacoubian building the bestselling book in the arab world for five years has received numerous international awards and was named by the london times as one of the best 50 authors translated into english in the last 50 years. Alaa al aswanys the yacoubian building translated by humphrey davies by bookshy 20.
His latest book, chicago, traces the lives of egyptian emigres in post911 america. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column. Master degree of dental and oral medicine illinois university chicago in 1985. Have you not read alaa al aswany, the egyptian author of the yacoubian building. If youd had twenty thousand pounds and used them to bribe someone, do you think any one would have asked about your fathers job.
Alaa alaswanys novel the yacoubian building 2002, arabic tells the story of a group of people loosely bound together by dint of living in the same crumbling building a real place in downtown cairo. Do they continue to live safely with a boot on their neck, or do they risk what little they have for the right to live freely without fear. Aug 18, 2015 alaa al aswany, the author of the automobile club of egypt, is no stranger to activism. The yacoubian building by alaa alaswany 2006 not even past. Alaaal aswany finally publishes cars club started in 2008, inspired by hearing the story of the invention of the car on a visit to a famous car club in germany.
Shikagu is a novel by egyptian author alaaalaswany. The first edition of the novel was published in 2002, and was written by alaa al aswany. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany in chm, epub, fb3 download ebook. Sep 03, 2007 buy the yacoubian building reprint by aswany, alaa al, davies, humphrey isbn. Alaa alaswany is a writer, known for the yacoubian building 2006, 28 2012 and ordet og bomben 2008. In the novels and short stories of alaa al aswany, characters struggle with class differences, police brutality, poverty, sexual harassment, and political corruption. Read a sample read a sample read a sample enlarge book cover audio excerpt. Chicago by alaa al aswanyjay parini admires the dickensian sense of character in a strong tale of egyptians in america. Jan 04, 2009 alaa al aswany, a dentist and opposition journalist in cairo, broke onto the literary scene in 2002 with the yacoubian building, a novel whose frank depiction of sexuality in contemporary. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Give yourself the gift of knowledge subscribe to big think edge. While alaswany refused for the book to be translated into hebrew and published in israel, a volunteer had. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column, al aswany makes his living as a dentist in cairo.
In al aswanys followup to the yacoubian building 2005, egyptian students and professors find scant refuge in post911 chicago originally published in egypt in 2007, and a bestseller in france, the novel was inspired by the authors student days in the windy city. His latest book, chicago, traces the lives of egyptian emigres in. Alaa al aswany talks about his acclaimed novel the yacoubian building with harriett gilbert and an invited studio audience for this months world book club. Not as good as chicago or the yacobian building, but still good. Alaa al aswany finally publishes cars club started in 2008, inspired by hearing the story of the invention of the car on a visit to a famous car club in germany.
The novel is about the conflict between politics, sex and money. Chicago, a novel set in the city in which the author was educated, was published in january 2007. A laa al aswany, the egyptian novelist, became famous overnight in the arab world with the publication of his first novel, the yacoubian building, in 2002. Unfortunately, however, i found the book s obsession with the sexual lives of its characters to be offputting at best. James buchan applauds alaa al aswanys arabic bestseller about sex and. Alaa al aswany is very skilled at depicting his characters.
Alaa al aswany became a contributing opinion writer for the international new york times in the fall of 20. Make moneyand youll get everything, but if you stay poor, theyll. Alaa al aswany is definitely, defiantly, a storyteller. 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. Here are stories of generational conflict, corruption, repression, infidelity, and the dangerous clashing of western and arab ideals, all beautifully rendered by al aswany, a true modern master and one of egypts. A novel and join the genius community of scholars to learn the meaning behind the words. Although dr alaa alaswanys trade is pulling and polishing teeth, he has achieved international fame as a novelist. Alaa al aswany is that rarest of literary beasts, a bestselling novelist and practising dentist whose patients are essential to his creative process stephanie merritt sun 9 sep 2007 18. Egyptian and american lives collide on a college campus in post911 chicago, and crises of identity abound in the extraordinary second novel from the highly acclaimed author of the yacoubian building. The main characters of this fiction, northern africa story are. Alaa al aswany has 34 books on goodreads with 76584 ratings.
Alaswany participated in the blue metropolis in montreal, june 2008, and was featured in interviews with the cbc programme writers and company. A medley of egyptian and american lives collides on the campus of the university of illinois medical center in a post911 chicago, and crises of identity abound. Alaa al aswany, a dentist and opposition journalist in cairo, broke onto the literary scene in 2002 with the yacoubian building, a novel whose frank depiction of sexuality in contemporary. Alaswany currently writes a weekly column for almasry alyoum and his political articles have been featured in the guardian, the new york times and le monde. Typically for alaswany, chicago is full of biographical traits from authors life. An interview with alaa alaswany washington independent. Aug 14, 2012 the yacoubian building by alaa alaswany 2006 by janine jones alaa alaswanys novel the yacoubian building 2002, arabic tells the story of a group of people loosely bound together by dint of living in the same crumbling building a real place in downtown cairo. Sex, money, and politics are the driving forces of society in this new novel from bestselling author alaa al aswany.
A novel translated from arabic by farouk abdel wahab, is set not in egypt but in the united states, tracking a brief period. This country doesnt belong to usit belongs to the people who have money. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany book quote. Buy the yacoubian building reprint by aswany, alaa al, davies, humphrey isbn.
Alaa al aswany, the author of the automobile club of egypt, is no stranger to activism. The yacoubian building by egyptian novelist alaa al aswany has become an international literary phenomenon. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 256 pages and is available in paperback format. Alaa alaswany is an egyptian writer, and a founding member of the political movement kefaya. Aswanys acclaimed 2002 novel, the yacoubian building, has sold more than a million copies in 35 languages. His 2002 novel, the yacoubian building, has been translated into 27 languages and.
Published in arabic in 2007 and in an english translation in 2007. Alaa al aswany, the yacoubian building, harperperennial, 2007. The bestselling author of he yacaoubian building and hicago turns his attention to current affairs in egypt. Chicago by alaa al aswany meet your next favorite book. The author of the highlyacclaimed 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. Rafat thabit, an egyptianamerican professor at the university of illinois medical school, has burrowed deep into american culture, but finds his identity threatened after his rebellious daughter falls under the sway of. Poor cairenes like busanya and taha live on the roof, while rich cairenes like hatim rasheed, the homosexual editor of a popular french newspaper, live in the building.
472 565 1459 179 1204 1176 9 853 1584 1466 113 1264 351 656 827 1092 617 1248 361 984 45 690 491 1088 519 205 742 771 1427 604 12 1416 1263 136 614 49 60 472 126 386 288 1143 784 47 337 103