A review by serendipitysbooks
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga

challenging dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English centres on a relationship between an Egyptian American woman and an local man who meet at a cafe in in Cairo in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. They develop a relationship which turns abusive. It’s an interesting setting in geo-political terms and there is a nuanced exploration of globalisation, power and identity. The third part gets very meta as the author take us into a writer’s workshop where her book is being discussed. For me this fell into the appreciated rather than enjoyed category. 
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