Chicago by Alaa Al Aswany
Sex, money, and politics are the driving forces of society in this new novel from bestselling author Alaa Al Aswany.“The only Arabic-language novel to have created greater buzz and sell more copies since ‘The Yacoubian Building’ is Al Aswany’s second novel, ‘Chicago’ … a rare opportunity to consider the contemporary Egyptian condition” Financial Times
‘He examines with warmth, wit and psychological acuity the way in which exile throws a spotlight on the Egyptianess of his characters. Chicago seems destined to repeat the success of ‘The Yacoubian Building’. With his vivid characters, warm humour and short snappy scenes, Al Aswany is like an Egyptian Anne Tyler. A Hollywood film of Chicago would not seem out of the question – were it not for the downbeat ending. For just when things seem to be moving towards a fairy–tale conclusion, Al Aswany throws a huge, cold bucket of realism over the narrative. It speaks much for his integrity and makes Chicago an incomparably richer and stronger novel.’ Adam Lively, Sunday Times
‘By shifting the location to America al Aswany asks questions of his characters – all but a handful of whom are Egyptian – not demanded of those in The Yacoubian Building. To what extent is the immigrant obliged to remain loyal to his or her old country? Can people ever really cast off the identities into which they were born and become fully paid-up members of a new society? In presenting us with the collision of these two standpoints, al Aswany has written a novel that, if nothing else, feels extremely timely.’ William Skidelsky, Observer
‘Alaa Al Aswany is among the best writers in the Middle East today, a suitable heir to the mantle worn by Naquib Mahfouz, his great predecessor, whose influence is felt on every page. Yet Al Aswany has his own magic. His remarkable gift for narrative momentum sustains Chicago. It reveals a gifted novelist in mid–flight.’ Guardian
‘Chicago, like The Yacoubian Building, is an enormously good-hearted book.’ New Statesman
Alaa Al Aswany was born in 1957. He is a dentist by profession, and for many years practiced in the Yacoubian Building which was to form the setting for his bestselling novel of the same name. He has written prolifically for Egyptian newspapers on politics, literature and social issues.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780007285181 |
| ISBN 10 | 0007285183 |
| Title | Chicago |
| Author | Alaa Al Aswany |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Year published | 2008-09-01 |
| Number of pages | 352 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |