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102nd out of 117 books
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67 voters
The View from Garden City: A Novel
Author Carolyn Baugh tells the moving story of a young American student living in the Garden City district of Cairo. Having come to study Arabic, she learns far more from the Egyptian women, young and old,she meets within the swirl and tumult of Garden City. Living, loving, and flourishing amid the fierce inflexibility of tradition, these women reveal a fascinating world
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
August 5th 2008
by Forge Books
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Sort of like The Yacoubian building but focuses entirely on females and their lives.
My fav line: Writing damns you to observing not being.
This author has the uncanny ability to describe things really uniquely/accurately so I appreciated her writing style and content of the book (not so much the structure though). She didn't shy away from the conflicts and bittersweet relationships these Egyptian women go through. The stories show real life issues like domestic violence, an extramarital affair,...more
My fav line: Writing damns you to observing not being.
This author has the uncanny ability to describe things really uniquely/accurately so I appreciated her writing style and content of the book (not so much the structure though). She didn't shy away from the conflicts and bittersweet relationships these Egyptian women go through. The stories show real life issues like domestic violence, an extramarital affair,...more
I really enjoyed this novel.
Carolyn Baugh does a fantastic job of describing what life is like for the women of Cairo, without making any haughty judgments about their actions. This novel introduces us to six women of various ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Despite their differences, they all share a common struggle for happiness within what an outsider may view as constricting cultural practices.
The only reason why I did not give this book five stars is because, at times, the prose is a...more
Carolyn Baugh does a fantastic job of describing what life is like for the women of Cairo, without making any haughty judgments about their actions. This novel introduces us to six women of various ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Despite their differences, they all share a common struggle for happiness within what an outsider may view as constricting cultural practices.
The only reason why I did not give this book five stars is because, at times, the prose is a...more
Loved it for so many reasons.... engrossing multi-generational stories of women who drew strength from (or in spite of) their religious and cultural traditions...the contrast of these stories with the completely different outlook of the young, American narrator. One of my favorites this year!
I really enjoyed this book - the descriptions helped me to really feel I was there and to imagine the streets of Cairo. I loved hearing the stories of so many different women. Beautifully written, easy to read.
This section from the preview is fantastically true: "The View from Garden City lifts the veil of privacy to explore the stunning inner strength of women torn between their dreams for the future and the sacrifices women must make in a world of harsh realities."
I think this really resonate...more
This section from the preview is fantastically true: "The View from Garden City lifts the veil of privacy to explore the stunning inner strength of women torn between their dreams for the future and the sacrifices women must make in a world of harsh realities."
I think this really resonate...more
A remarkable chronicle of women. Told from the perspective of an American student in Cairo, Baugh takes us on a journey of exploration into the lives of six women she meets. Each story of a woman's past is interspersed with the tale of our guide's life in present-day Cairo. The topics covered are everything from Turkish coffee to female circumcision. Astonishing chronicle of the strength and resilience of woman and an interesting exploration of family values in a non-American culture. I truly am...more
... a wonderful story of the intimate lives of Egyptian women
The View from Garden City, by Carolyn Baugh weaves the experience of an American student in Cairo with the stories of the women she meets in her building. The American girl serves as a transition between the Egyptian women’s stories, but I felt that her character wasn’t very well developed. Frankly, she wasn’t of any interest. Each chapter focusing on a different woman revealed patriarchal parts of the culture, but also the resilience and strength of the women. Overall, a so-so book in that it w...more
Posted first for Fire & Ice
This is a read that I was conflicted about from the first couple of pages. The writing style put me off a little bit because it is not what I usually enjoy personally. Some of the actions that take place seemed to me a little bit off putting as well or not what is normal. There is a disclaimer from the author however that does explain that. Now those complaints aside it is a good book overall.
My favorite character I think is Huda. She at times is immature but real...more
This is a read that I was conflicted about from the first couple of pages. The writing style put me off a little bit because it is not what I usually enjoy personally. Some of the actions that take place seemed to me a little bit off putting as well or not what is normal. There is a disclaimer from the author however that does explain that. Now those complaints aside it is a good book overall.
My favorite character I think is Huda. She at times is immature but real...more
A wonderful book, but be prepared. As a Muslim myself and one whom has strong ties to Egypt; it was challenging to read most of this novel. I am very gratefull for the disclaimer at the end of the novel and I thought it responsible of the author. I have to stress to readers that this is a work of fiction, and a lot of the occurances in this novel are based on cultural practices (much of them no longer used) and not based on Islamic teachings and/or practices. Other than that, a great read, and I...more
It is a sad book. Another culture when women are oppressed, secluded and without elementary human rights. They face the poverty, hopelessness and narrow life, but somehow master the acceptance and even little joy from their everyday existence. There are cruel mothers-in-laws, arranged marriages and female circumcision. It is painful to see the gap between our modern life and what women have to face in Egypt.
A compendium of stories of horrible marriages & affairs that afflict several generations of women in Cairo. Really happy, cheery stuff. Interesting from a sociological standpoint, and also from a literary standpoint--how poems & songs (in this case Arabic) portray love and how love unfolds in real life. As with American culture, the ideal love lies in anticipation, not in the daily grind of supposed fulfillment.
At first Baugh's writing is overloaded with heavy-handed similes (at the jui...more
At first Baugh's writing is overloaded with heavy-handed similes (at the jui...more
I was so sad to finish this book and realize the author hasn't written anything else yet. The beginning was so slow I almost gave up on it. An American living in Cairo is describing her surroundings, and I was bored out of my mind. But then the book became several different women from the city telling their stories, and I loved it.
A very interesting book about 6 different women whose lives intersect while they live in modern Cairo. Each chapter is about a different woman and the struggles/life choices they have had thrust upon them. The book actually could be viewed as 6 separate short stories instead of a novel as IMO each chapter is a stand alone story.
This book is a fascinating glimpse of life as a woman in modern day Egypt. A young American student is living in Cairo and becomes friends with 6 Egyptian women. It gives insight to how they support each other through the inflexible traditions of the Arab culture
This is a series of stories about different women, many of whom are related. The women's lives are fascinating. The main problem is the narrative structure - we are supposed to believe that all of the women spill out their stories to a foreign stranger.
I really loved this book. It was full of such wonderful stories. The women of these stories are so admirable. I found the descriptive narrative to be so vivid that I didn't need to close my eyes to imagine the settings. The epilogue really got to me most of all. I just was so moved by it. I wanted it to continue and felt so sad to have it end.
My only complaint with it was the excessive use of descriptive narrative regarding some things. Such as using five or six adjectives to describe the sound...more
My only complaint with it was the excessive use of descriptive narrative regarding some things. Such as using five or six adjectives to describe the sound...more
What a wonderful read this book turned out to be for me. It was my reading group's first selection for discussion this year and I loved it.
It is a bunch of little stories within a story because the book is about several different women. Each of the women in this book has a story to tell. Their stories are powerful and compelling. Their stories will make you laugh, cry, cheer, and most of all appreciate how much we as women of the United States have to be thankful for.
We sometimes think or take...more
It is a bunch of little stories within a story because the book is about several different women. Each of the women in this book has a story to tell. Their stories are powerful and compelling. Their stories will make you laugh, cry, cheer, and most of all appreciate how much we as women of the United States have to be thankful for.
We sometimes think or take...more
I loved the stories of each women and wanted the author to tell me more. The writing style was very detailed and disjointed but the stories of the women were captivating.
The book chronicles the lives of women in Cairo, at times the story seems rather predictable. At other times it offers a rich insight into the women's lives and the daily conflict and struggle they face in an Arabic world. I just did not really enjoy this book that much.
Dec 12, 2009
Lucrecia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in women's lives in Egypt
This book is very well written. I really enjoyed the way the author intertwined the stories as she introduced different characters in the book.
A wonderful read! It was an amazing book for discussion, as the women's stories were profound and the characters, complex and memorable.
I read this book in one day. I literally could not put it down. It is a truly captivating tale of six women and their relationship to Islam.
I really enjoyed the sneak peak into the lives of Egyptian women. The author's prose is very lyrical, describing a sunset or even just a dingy apartment. Even though there is very little plot, I feel the author did a good job at tying all the stories together. All in all a good quick read.
Interesting stories about women in Egypt. I was very into this book and would recommend it.
Depressing read about women forced to settle into marriages they are not happy in. Very sad.
Great book about women's culture in the modern-day patriarchal Egypt. Loved this book!!
Stories about the lives of a group of women in Egypt. I found it engrossing.
Interesting book about women, Egypt, and cultural Islam.
very well written. educational. intriguing stories.
Travel abroad to contemporary Cairo with an American grad student and meet various Cairene women she encounters and learns about. It begins a little slowly with details of the city's sights, sounds and smells and soon afterwards you are immersed into these women's lives. Rich in characters and told with simple observation. Don't get thrown off by some of the unfamiliar words, a helpful glossary is in the back and I suggest you tag it with a sticky note so it's handy. You'll be glad you read this...more
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“I am overwhelmed. I am the most discomfited of dancers. Simultaneously chillingly I am certain that the wedding guests sense it to be a sad occasion yet all are in desperate conspiracy to produce a joyful atmosphere. They dance madly. As though ... as though if they were to stop and cast a thoughtful eye on the bride and groom the illusion would be dispelled. The party dresses and hairspray and starched collars and lipsticked lips would melt away and all present would be left standing in the rags of Huda's despair.”
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Jan 02, 2010 12:55am