Sunday, June 7, 2009

Book Review - The Yacoubian Building


I am a Book Worm,

and I love to learn about other cultures and countries,

and I don't have a job so I shop in the bargain books section.

So when I found The Yacoubian Building: by Alaa Al Aswany for $4.99 I was excited, the story takes place in modern day Egypt and evolves around the lives of several characters whose lives cross paths at the Yacoubain Building. It sounded interesting. Interesting it was, but while reading it I actually felt...well.... disgusted. I hated all the characters and was happy to be rid of them when I finished the book. Also It made me really not want to visit Egypt...if it was indeed portraying the real common day Egypt. Everyone was miserable and corrupt.

Did I miss something? This book is suppose to be an international best seller!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have not read the book but watched the film. It shouldnt put you off from visiting Egypt. But characters in the book exist in real life. Corruption, religious extremism, poverty, homosexuality are social ills Egypt is experiencing, not different from many countries out there. The film is good.

ModestJustice said...

I watched the movie with my mom! (If that's a good thing..) Well some of it, I stopped watching because it was a bit too disturbing for me.

I don't understand how it's a best seller either. ._.

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