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On the State of Egypt: A Novelist's Provocative Reflections
by Alaa Al Aswany, Jonathan Wright
by Alaa Al Aswany, Jonathan Wright
If you have been following the news recently you will have noticed the huge shift in power from the corrupt government to the people on the streets in both Tunisia and Egypt. If you haven't, then there is probably no point in you reading any further, your head is probably too far up your own backside to ever come out. If on the other hand, you did see the news ;) and you want to know "what on earth happened to make all these protesters come out in such force and with such determination?" then this book is a MUST READ!
Some of you may have heard about the Yacoubian Building or Chicago, also written by Alaa Al Aswany, both great reads if you haven't read those either. This man has a way with words, a profound passion and a mind that inspires, intrigues and interests you at every level. If I was allowed one dinner guest, Alaa Al Aswany would be at the top of my list. I love this man!
Compiled from a series of articles that ran in Egyptian press, how he wasn't arrested and detained as a political prisoner I have no idea, but none the less, these articles explain what has been happening in Egypt, the dire state the country is in and the 'turn the other cheek' attitude that has allowed it to happen.
He writes in a commanding way that to close the book without having finished an article leaves you wanting more. His common sense approach to life, his intelligence and his moral way of thinking are skills to be admired and replicated.
I have spent the last 15 years of my life learning about the politics in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, studying the people and the lives they lead. I have come to my own conclusions over the years and have doubted, until reading this book, whether as a 'foreigner' I have understood the situations correctly. Every last insight, every opinion written in this book mirrored my own findings and feelings. My frustrations with the government (lack of) leadership, my passions and wants for each, combined with my love of the Egyptian people are all in this book.
So in short, if you wish to understand the politics of the revolution in Egypt, and those in other countries, this is the best place to start.
And Mr Al Aswany, if you are free for dinner, let me know!
Some of you may have heard about the Yacoubian Building or Chicago, also written by Alaa Al Aswany, both great reads if you haven't read those either. This man has a way with words, a profound passion and a mind that inspires, intrigues and interests you at every level. If I was allowed one dinner guest, Alaa Al Aswany would be at the top of my list. I love this man!
Compiled from a series of articles that ran in Egyptian press, how he wasn't arrested and detained as a political prisoner I have no idea, but none the less, these articles explain what has been happening in Egypt, the dire state the country is in and the 'turn the other cheek' attitude that has allowed it to happen.
He writes in a commanding way that to close the book without having finished an article leaves you wanting more. His common sense approach to life, his intelligence and his moral way of thinking are skills to be admired and replicated.
I have spent the last 15 years of my life learning about the politics in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, studying the people and the lives they lead. I have come to my own conclusions over the years and have doubted, until reading this book, whether as a 'foreigner' I have understood the situations correctly. Every last insight, every opinion written in this book mirrored my own findings and feelings. My frustrations with the government (lack of) leadership, my passions and wants for each, combined with my love of the Egyptian people are all in this book.
So in short, if you wish to understand the politics of the revolution in Egypt, and those in other countries, this is the best place to start.
And Mr Al Aswany, if you are free for dinner, let me know!
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