The Yacoubian Building: A Novel - Softcover

Al Aswany, Alaa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9774160274 ISBN 13: 9789774160271

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2006

Synopsis

This controversial bestselling novel in the Arab world reveals the political corruption, sexual repression, religious extremism, and modern hopes of Egypt today.

All manner of flawed and fragile humanity reside in the Yacoubian Building, a once-elegant temple of Art Deco splendor now slowly decaying in the smog and bustle of downtown Cairo: a fading aristocrat and self-proclaimed "scientist of women"; a sultry, voluptuous siren; a devout young student, feeling the irresistible pull toward fundamentalism; a newspaper editor helplessly in love with a policeman; a corrupt and corpulent politician, twisting the Koran to justify his desires.

These disparate lives careen toward an explosive conclusion in Alaa Al Aswany's remarkable international bestseller. Teeming with frank sexuality and heartfelt compassion, this book is an important window on to the experience of loss and love in the Arab world.

About this title

About the Author:

Internationally bestselling author Alaa Al Aswany was born in 1957. A dentist by profession, he is the author of The Yacoubian Building, which has been translated into twenty languages, and the story collection Friendly Fire, which will be published in English in 2009. He lives in Cairo.

Review:

“[A] hilarious, sensual, bawdy and beautiful novel.” (Nerve)

“Captivating and controversial .. . .an amazing glimpse of modern Egyptian society and culture.” (New York Review of Books)

“...tremendously likable.... This vision of life connects high with low, rich with poor, through shared vices and needs.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 9774160274
• ISBN 13: 9789774160271
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272