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kymme's review
2.0
Eh.
Too many characters, for me, with too few interactions among them. I think the author could have reorganized it a bit and written a nice collection of short stories instead... that said, few of the characters' tales really gripped me.
I suppose if you cannot fathom how or why a series of setbacks or disappointments in one's personal life might lead one to religious extremism (a la suicide bombers) or bring one past some other sort of moral edge, this book could be enlightening. But if you can imagine that pretty easily, this book is pretty predictable, and in my book, that means it's pretty put-down-able.
The glossary is nice, though.
Too many characters, for me, with too few interactions among them. I think the author could have reorganized it a bit and written a nice collection of short stories instead... that said, few of the characters' tales really gripped me.
I suppose if you cannot fathom how or why a series of setbacks or disappointments in one's personal life might lead one to religious extremism (a la suicide bombers) or bring one past some other sort of moral edge, this book could be enlightening. But if you can imagine that pretty easily, this book is pretty predictable, and in my book, that means it's pretty put-down-able.
The glossary is nice, though.
_rusalka's review against another edition
3.0
What a packed little book. So many issues squished in here. Religion, class, sexual politics, love, sibling relationships, fundamentalism, sexual assault, colonialism, corruption, homosexuality, jihadism, modern Egyptian politics.
I feel like there is so much going on in 250pp, that some topics aren't quite done justice. Some storylines are dealt with in a way that make me a little uncomfortable (could be a cultural difference here) and rub me the wrong way.
Other stories made me gasp, or wildly happy, or just struck me as beautiful even if I didn't quite understand. It's a busy little book, that will have a story or two to strike you too.
I feel like there is so much going on in 250pp, that some topics aren't quite done justice. Some storylines are dealt with in a way that make me a little uncomfortable (could be a cultural difference here) and rub me the wrong way.
Other stories made me gasp, or wildly happy, or just struck me as beautiful even if I didn't quite understand. It's a busy little book, that will have a story or two to strike you too.
aorth's review
3.0
Good look at a few lesser known subcultures in Egypt. Too short though — I wanted more!
wickham's review
4.0
I can't speak to the accuracy of this book in terms of Egyptian culture, particularly in its given setting of the early 2000s, but I can speak to the quality of the book itself. It's been a good while since I actually had the opportunity to read this book, but it is only now that I've had time to write a proper review.
I may have lost the specifics of my praises and gripes with this book by now, but I remember the way that it gripped me day and night until I was able to finish it. Even for someone with no personal connection to the content of the book, nor any real frame of reference for the many social and political issues which form the crux of the plot, it was utterly engrossing from page to page and even from word to word. The characters were complex, some deeply sympathetic despite their obvious flaws while others are nearly perfect examples of human garbage that Aswany was somehow able to lend a glimmer of humanity.
In that vein, it's worth noting the attitude towards women in this novel. During the sections narrated by male characters the women are constantly degraded, oftentimes reduced to nothing but sexual objects. Yet if the discerning reader can look past these sections they'll find that the sections where the women are given voice completely justify these sections with the ignorant, cruel voices of the men. The women of this novel are clever, self-aware people who strive at every turn to better themselves and better their lives despite their fundamentally lower place in the hierarchy of the novel. There are women of all kinds, with all nature of opinions on sexuality and their own application of it for social progression, and they are made people with an unflinching glare at the sexism which hinders their lives so entirely.
This is a difficult book to read, with many moments of cynicism and tragedy which are genuinely painful to observe. Yet it has genuine heart to it, with shining humor and intellectualism that makes it an utterly engrossing read.
I may have lost the specifics of my praises and gripes with this book by now, but I remember the way that it gripped me day and night until I was able to finish it. Even for someone with no personal connection to the content of the book, nor any real frame of reference for the many social and political issues which form the crux of the plot, it was utterly engrossing from page to page and even from word to word. The characters were complex, some deeply sympathetic despite their obvious flaws while others are nearly perfect examples of human garbage that Aswany was somehow able to lend a glimmer of humanity.
In that vein, it's worth noting the attitude towards women in this novel. During the sections narrated by male characters the women are constantly degraded, oftentimes reduced to nothing but sexual objects. Yet if the discerning reader can look past these sections they'll find that the sections where the women are given voice completely justify these sections with the ignorant, cruel voices of the men. The women of this novel are clever, self-aware people who strive at every turn to better themselves and better their lives despite their fundamentally lower place in the hierarchy of the novel. There are women of all kinds, with all nature of opinions on sexuality and their own application of it for social progression, and they are made people with an unflinching glare at the sexism which hinders their lives so entirely.
This is a difficult book to read, with many moments of cynicism and tragedy which are genuinely painful to observe. Yet it has genuine heart to it, with shining humor and intellectualism that makes it an utterly engrossing read.
steller0707's review
4.0
The Yacoubian Building in Cairo, has seen better days. It's a sort of reverse "upstairs, downstairs" building, with the more wealthy living in multi room apartments on one of the ten floors, while the poor live in small tin huts on the roof. The novel is about the fictional people in the building who experience life in Egypt with corrupt politicians, shady businessmen, and fundamental Islamists. There are only two chapters: the first serves as introduction to the colorful characters, with vivid indications of their station in life; the second provides the stories of their survival.
Aswany is both a dentist and a writer. His political views are well-known from his column in the Cairo newspaper and his political activism. The novel was wildly popular in Egypt and the rest of the Arab world when it was published in the early 2000s. He doesn't preach a particular side but instead shows the view points rampant in society. Particularly vivid are the depiction of political corruption and the training of jihadists.
Aswany is both a dentist and a writer. His political views are well-known from his column in the Cairo newspaper and his political activism. The novel was wildly popular in Egypt and the rest of the Arab world when it was published in the early 2000s. He doesn't preach a particular side but instead shows the view points rampant in society. Particularly vivid are the depiction of political corruption and the training of jihadists.
aviesbooks's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
paracosm's review against another edition
In the first couple of chapters two things happen. One, a character that is an actual sex predator is introduced but his behaviour is not only perfectly acceptable, but encouraged. Second, that is very important that we know the breast size of all female characters. Yikes.
peter_fischer's review
4.0
I used to belong to a book group that specialised in Middle Eastern literature. This is one of the best books we read there. The Yacoubian building symbolises Cairo through the ages and tells the stories of its various and diverse occupants. One can almost smell and feel Egypt!
mcatsambas's review
4.0
You could tell it was a translation, but that made it better. I read it as an Arabic tale rather than a novel in English, so that helped me absorb some of the ridiculous language. Was like a soap opera -- many characters, interwoven stories. Like the OC but Egyptian.
ellieanor's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5