Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Yacoubian Building
The Yacoubian Building: A Novel | Alaa Al Aswany
12 posts | 18 read | 1 reading | 9 to read
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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Sapphire
Yacoubian Building | Alaa Al Aswany
post image

Everytime someone in the book was being seduced, there seemed to be “cold hors d‘oevres”. So I made Michoteta. I had planned to make cookies, but these Mamoul I picked up at the deli are so much better! I will put it all out with Labneh, pita, and roasted nuts this evening. (Pecans because I am a Texan after all) #foodandlit2022 @Texreader @Butterfinger @Catsandbooks

ChasingOm This is the book I have on my shelf for this month as well. 3y
Sapphire I will look for your thoughts about it! 3y
22 likes2 comments
review
Sapphire
post image
Pickpick

It took me awhile to settle in to this title every time I sat down to read; but that was part of the appeal. Not written for an American or Western audience, there is so much context. Learned a lot. The writing is good, but like I said took some effort to fully enter the world encompassed.

17 likes1 stack add
quote
mvblair
post image
review
AlizaApp
post image
Pickpick

A portrait of modern(-ish) Cairo through the lens of one downtown building. I liked the inclusion of a variety of characters, though much of it is distinctly pre-Arab Spring revolution.

review
Petelord
Pickpick

Wonderful book filled with truly amazing characters. Cairo truly comes to life in this novel. Highly recommended

quote
Bertha_Mason
post image

review
Martta
post image
Pickpick

Such a small book with such a huge themes! 😁 I loved this! It's been awhile since I've read anything like this so I struggled to remember everyones names. They were a bit foreign. Should have made a list of the characters. That would have probably helped. 🤔

#LitsyAtoZ

blurb
Martta
post image

That perfect time of year to go jogging. Not too cold, everywhere was relaxingly dark and today was especially nice to run under clear sky full of stars and Aurora Borealis (Green). ❤🌌 Now relaxing with a book and cup of tea. 😋 What a perfect evening! 😁

(This is an image from a few years back. Didn't have camera with me tonight)

Ranchan GORGEOUS! 😍 6y
LeeRHarry So beautiful - brings back very happy memories 😍 - enjoy! 6y
Texreader ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
25 likes3 comments
blurb
Martta
post image

My #Y for #LitsyAtoZ The first 60 pages feel promising! It's been awhile since I've last read about Egypt. 😊

review
Nerdy_chic
post image
Pickpick

This was my favorite when I was working in Saudi Arabia a few years back. Sale of this book was prohibited there, but a friend lent me his coverted copy, and I fell in love with the writer. Alaa Al Aswaany is a dentist turned activist from Cairo. This book tackles poverty, corruption, and gender inequality in Egypt, weaved into an extraordinary web of stories from the people in the Yacoubian building, which is actually a famous landmark in Egypt.

MrBook Nice review! 8y
7 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Ulysse
Yacoubian Building | Alaa Al Aswany

Héhé

quote
Ulysse
Yacoubian Building | Alaa Al Aswany
post image

Livre

1 stack add