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cait888's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the conceit of this book. It was very quick and perhaps could have benefitted from a bit more fleshing out. There were glancing hints of sci-fi-esque capabilities in the government (mind control/memory loss, seemingly magical dissolution of senses) that I would’ve enjoyed more exploration of, at least enough for me to formulate a theory about what was actually happening.
This isn’t the author’s fault, but the copy editing of this translation left quite a lot to be desired.
This isn’t the author’s fault, but the copy editing of this translation left quite a lot to be desired.
reubenlb's review against another edition
2.0
it has some compelling moments but overall is a slog that is hindered by a poor editor - not as smart or subtle as it would like you to think it was
ageorge1877's review against another edition
3.0
A novel which asks the terrifying question: what if LUSU ran the country? It's a pretty grim and disheartening exploration into how endless bureaucracy (eSPECially in a totalitarian regime) gradually saps the life out of people. We basically follow a big group of characters all on their different journeys towards giving up. Its p bleak and it's interesting how, despite it being so obvious from the start that things aren't gonna work out, it remains very readable and page-turning. Not all the characters are as fleshed out as they could be which becomes a problem when the pov keeps changing and you cant remember exactly what everyones deal is. Also the whole 'it's a totalitarian state they control everything bro' element is a bit laboured and a bit on the nose, although maybe that's the point. It's an Egyptian author and I may not know enough about the Egyptian regime its parodying to be able to fully engage with everything it has to say. Good story though and thoughts to be had.
nnnnnnnnnn's review against another edition
3.0
This book provides a confronting, dystopian perspective that also manages to seem entirely likely and realistic. This would be great for a book club - I really want to discuss it with someone right now but I don't know anyone who has read it. Learn from my mistakes: read it with a friend, and then rant together about government opppression and the evils of bureauocracy. And phones. And really, really, long queues.
drw4071's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good. It had a slow start and a bit of a slow pace, but I think that added to its atmosphere. If you are looking for good dystopian fiction, I highly recommend picking up this.
koreilly's review against another edition
2.0
I appreciated this book's dedication to place, expertly creating a lived in world where bureaucracy and oppression have infiltrated every facet of people's lives. Notable for being probably the first post-Arab-Spring novel, The Gate is very good but bogged down by a lack of forward momentum and a stubborn commitment to bringing the bureaucracy to life for the reader.
The book is interesting and a fascinating portrait of modern life in the Arab World but the problem is that it becomes increasingly dull to read about people standing in line to fill in forms and having their forms rejected and then having different people stand in line to fill out forms and explain to the other people in line why they need their forms and boy it seems like the government asking for these forms sure is bad.
It would probably help if you're in the right headspace for a consistently slow novel but I really wasn't and for that reason, I appreciated what The Queue was going for but it just didn't click with me.
The book is interesting and a fascinating portrait of modern life in the Arab World but the problem is that it becomes increasingly dull to read about people standing in line to fill in forms and having their forms rejected and then having different people stand in line to fill out forms and explain to the other people in line why they need their forms and boy it seems like the government asking for these forms sure is bad.
It would probably help if you're in the right headspace for a consistently slow novel but I really wasn't and for that reason, I appreciated what The Queue was going for but it just didn't click with me.
nittonniotre's review against another edition
3.0
Had a hard time getting in to it and kept having to go back. I do appreciate the theme and the events though.
bgprincipessa's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Fake news spec fic set in a Middle Eastern city: it's exactly as horrifying as you'd imagine.
Fake news spec fic set in a Middle Eastern city: it's exactly as horrifying as you'd imagine.
thegrammygoesto's review against another edition
2.0
why are we switching the character we're following literally every other paragraph it's so confusing which is disappointing because it's such an interesting dystopian premise