مترو

by مجدي الشافعي

مترو" رواية مصورة تدور قصتها حول "شهاب" مهندس الإليكترونيات، الشاب الحانق على النظام الاجتماعي والفساد المنتشر في مصر، والذي يقترب من الإفلاس بسبب المنافسة التي يسحق فيها أصحاب رؤوس الأموال الكبيرة سواهم
.. يحاول المهندس الشاب الإعتراض على تلك الأوضاع بأسلوب عنيف وهو سرقة أحد البنوك!!.
تقدم فصول الرواية العديد من القضايا التي حدثت في مصر مؤخراً منها قضايا الفساد وصراع الطبقات في مصر والمظاهرات ..

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Egypt, Graphic Novels Comics

95 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Nihal · Rating 3 out of 5]

بعد سحبها من الأسواق في 2008 انتابني الفضول اني اجيبها.
من حيث المبدأ ، الفكرة لطيفة ، فيه نقص كبير في الروايات المصورة اللي بتخاطب الكبار (فقط)
الاسقاطات السياسية لطيفة، وبتمثل عرض لأحاسيس الخنقة ما قبل الثورة
ماعجبنيش تطور القصة (المفروض انها اساسية) - ماعجبنيش الغموض و عدم الوضوح بدون مبرر

الشتايم وكام صورة خليعة كانت في مكانها وماضيقتنيش

اكيد انصح بيها، ولكن ما تتوقعش persepolis

[Abdul-rahman Salem]

يا جماعة أرجوكوا محدش عارف ألاقيها فين ؟!
المفروض بعد الثورة تطلع بقه !

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful effort - snappy writing, great drawing, and a fast-moving story - although I was a bit disappointed with the ending, which seemed almost a cop-out. The hero seems to have thrown in the towel, given up, and suggests that rather than keep running up against a corrupt system, it is time to leave the chaos and social dysfunction of Egypt.

Otherwise the graphic novel features expressive art work - that seems to match the jagged energy of the city of Cairo, and a noir-ish story-line in which the hero seems to be unintentionally drawn into a dark plot. There is implicit and explicit criticism of the corrupt system in Egypt - anticipating the revolution that occurred there several years later - which explains why the book was banned in Egypt.

Here's an example:

"- The papers. One of our great disasters.
- Huh? Why?
- Don't get mad. I mean the papers and the TV. And everything else that keeps us so submissive, and feeling like there's no hope, that the corruption and injustice only lead to more of the same. And that people standing in lines for everything is totally normal. I can't be bothered with the crime in these rags, when they say nothing about the real criminal whose fault it all is."

Obviously, here he is referring to Mubarak and the corruption he tolerates or possibly benefits from.

This is a fascinating and exciting graphic novel. Let's hope Egypt can one day find its way to the light at the end of the tunnel - justice and a fair share of prosperity for all.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘People are numb. Nothing has any effect on them. They put up with so much. They just say, “Well, that’s how things are in this country of ours.”’

I raced through Magdy El Shafee’s graphic novel, Metro, which I enjoyed hugely. Written prior to the uprisings in the Arab world that began in late 2010, the novel reads as both a precursor to those events and the frustrations that prompted them, as well as a depressingly relevant account of Cairo after those same events, given the dismal political situation in Egypt today. The novel follows Shehab, an angry and disaffected young man, as he plans to beat the system that is crushing him. Much of the action takes place in tunnels and in metro stations throughout Cairo and there’s a suitably eerie subterranean feel to the narrative. I don’t read nearly enough graphic novels, but each time I do I’m struck by what they can do that ordinary novels can’t. In particular, El Shafee uses the page to express the chaos and corruption of Cairo, making it all the more vivid by letting the images do as much work as the words do.
Most of the graphic novels I’ve read are by very well known authors, such as Marjane Satrapi, Joe Sacco and Art Spiegelman (all of them brilliant) and so it was great to read a much less popular title.

[Asser Mattar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I couldn't find the original Arabic edition, I read the English translation of it. It felt like an incomplete first draft of a good graphic novel. The idea is fine but the finishing could have been better. The plot is not that thick, and the ending is abrupt.

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre storyline.
Artwork not at all impressive.
But this line made me smile,
"Mustafa, in this country, jail is for the poor. And you're going to be rich..."
Totally sums up the corruption of Mubarak's oppressive Egypt.

[محمود راضي · Rating 2 out of 5]

في عام 2008 حسبما أتذكر، قرأت عدة فصول من رواية (مترو) عندما نشرت في جربدة الدستور، ولكن لم تسنح لي الفرصة لقراءة الرواية كاملة وقتئذ، خاصة بعد نشرها كاملة في كتاب، وذلك بعد أن صادرتها الجهات الأمنية، حتى أعيد نشرها مجددا هذا العام منذ فترة وجيزة.

بالتأكيد لا يمكن نكران أهمية الرواية عندما نضعها في سياق الوقت الذي صدرت فيه، خاصة لكونها من الأعمال المؤسسة لتيار الأعمال الأدبية المصورة الذي يتنامى في مصر بشكل كببر منذ ذلك الحين.

لكن من الناحية الفنية، سواء سرديًا أو رسوميًا، فهى ليست بالرواية المدهشة أو الخارقة للعادة، خاصة مع الكم الكبير من الخطابية والنمطية التي تكتنفها في العديد من المواضع، بالإضافة إلى الكثير من المشاكل في الطريقة التي خرجت بها الرسوم، وفي تكنيكات تنفيذها.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I wasn't that into this. Maybe I don't know enough about Egypt, maybe the translation wasn't awesome, maybe it just wasn't that good! Hoping to have better Middle Eastern graphic novel experiences!

[Muhammed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short graphic novel (published in 2008) which laid bare the roots of January 2011 in Egypt.

"We're all in a cage. The way out is wide open, but we're stuck inside because no one ever tries walking out of it."

[Preethi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story set in Mubarak's corrupt Egypt where the youth is looking for ways to escape the brutal reality - this one struck a nerve somewhere for me.
It is only a 3 star because of the rather abrupt narration and drawing.

[Nouru-éddine · Rating 3 out of 5]

[P.]

hackers! this was quick paced and a little jumpy but I think tied together enough that your brain fills in the gaps. every 20 pages or so there would be a chance for the main guy or another character to reinforce the theme of freedom from an open cage.

[Amanda Fields]

If you're familiar with Egypt, the graphics are worthwhile. It's not a compelling storyline, though. The characters are underdeveloped, and the narrative movement is boring and predictable.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was solid but unfortunately the art holds the book back a little. Still definitely recommend it tho and I hope his future books will be available round here.

[Pilar · Rating 2 out of 5]

No le he encontrado el punto, no sé si es porque trata algo muy local o, porque de tan simple, me parece insípido. En fin, una decepción.

[Rex Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Shehab, a young software designer, runs afoul of a loan shark, all avenues of escape in Mubarak's corrupt, chaotic Egypt seem to be closed to him. Getting help from the bank is impossible without connections. A powerful businessman offers assistance, but the next day Shehab sees him being stabbed in an alley―and the man's dying words suggest a conspiracy extending to the upper reaches of the regime.

[Brian Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Shehab, a young software designer, runs afoul of a loan shark, all avenues of escape in Mubarak's corrupt, chaotic Egypt seem to be closed to him. Getting help from the bank is impossible without connections. A powerful businessman offers assistance, but the next day Shehab sees him being stabbed in an alley―and the man's dying words suggest a conspiracy extending to the upper reaches of the regime. Loads of fun.

[علي · Rating 2 out of 5]

قرأت الطبعة الجديدة الصادرة عن دار المحروسة في 2022، مشكلة بعض الكتابات تتمثل في أنها خاضعة لوقت معين ولو تمت القراءة بعد هذا الوقت يفقد العمل كثير من قيمته خصوصا لو كان المحتوى كلشيهي خاص بهذا الزمن، أثناء القراءة تتوقف وتسأل ما الفارق بين هذا العمل وبين الأفلام التي تناولت الموضوع نفسه فلا أجد فارق تقريبا، هذا على مستوى القصة أما الرسوم فجميلة وأعجبتني
كان يمكن أن تكون القصة المصورة
كنت أتمنى قرائتها في زمن صدورها الحقيقي لأن الاحتمال الأكبر أن يكون التقييم وقتها أربعة أو خمسة

[Marsha Altman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really could not follow the plot of this book, which required a lot of cultural knowledge I don't have. It is interesting that this book was written and published shortly before the Arab Spring, when Mubarak's corrupt reign (which is a major subject here) was overthrown.

[George Genie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story held my attention but the artwork was often unclear and sometimes even the text was very faint and difficult to read.

[Kieran Healy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The dialogue is very on the nose, lots of pontificating. Not a lot of story. Art was interesting but felt unevenly done. Juvenile plot.

[Jo-Anne King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing this is banned in Egypt adds another dimension to the insight into life under corruption as depicted by the characters and events in the story.

[Abhirup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and gritty graphic novel

[Khalid Albaih · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art is not great to look at but a preferred prefect story that tells of pre-arabspring Cairo which is more or less back to square one after 10 years of the Arab Spring

[Alphared Chadstick · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a terrible book, I just found the graphics a tad uninspiring, and the story was a little bit boring.
Really cool that it was written by an Egyptian and the story is about Egypt.

[Wasp26 · Rating 3 out of 5]

ساذجة سيكا و outdated تماما, لكن اخيرا قريتها. من ساعة مقال الدستور عنها فى 2008 و انا عايز اقراها. و ها قد انتهيت.

[Ahmed Eissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

الرسومات جميلة، بس القصة مبنية على كليشيهات عالم ما قبل ٢٠١١

[Rania · Rating 3 out of 5]

every time i read a graphic novel i realise i really dont like reading graphic novels - i think i would have really liked it as a novel.

[Kathleen McKim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel that was banned in Egypt, so only an English translation is available. It's loosely about some poor people who decide to take their rights. They get a bit hurt in some demonstrations, and there is a love interest for the main character. The copy of the book I received from Metropolitan Books (New York: Henry Holt and Co.) is very difficult to read. It seems to have been photocopied or printed in gray scale. It would be much better if the panels were in a stronger black and light. The story in fairly interesting. The title METRO reflects how the story is told from one part of the city to another. I am giving this 3 stars because it was dangerous for El Shafee to create this novel and put his name to it. As far as the actual story, it was written before the Arab Spring, so it is very prophetic and gives a voice to the Egyptian people before Arab Spirng, perhaps giving credence to the events that took place in 2011.

[Samar Elgyar · Rating 5 out of 5]

قرأت أخيرا رواية مترو ف جلسة واحدة.. بجد جددت الأمل جوايا.. وفكرتني بحالة إنعدام الوزن اللي كنا عايشينها قبل الثورة وقبل أحداث المحلة 2008 وبالعبث اللي احنا فيه دلوقت.. وإن مهما الطريق موحش فإحنا مش لوحدنا ومش كل الناس بتتكيف مع العبث وبتزحف وبتوافق..
الرواية دي اتصادرت من نظام مبارك فناس كتير قرأتها بلغات تانية لما اتنشرت خارج مصر!
وعايزة أضيف إني مسحورة بالإسلوب والشخصيات والخطوط الحرة الغير تقليدية اللي مش شبه حد أبدا.. والحرية في الخطوط والقفز فوق المقاييس المألوفة بيحتاج شجاعة كبيرة مش هتخرج إلا من روح حرة زي روح المؤلف