Tragicomic, passionate, shockingly frank in its sexuality, and brimming with an extraordinary, embracing human compassion, the yacoubian building is a literary achievement of the first order. Dec 14, 2007 tenants of the yacoubian building mirror the full length of egyptian society as it has passed from the era of privileged pashas to a scrappier social order. The yacoubian building is entertaining and does offer a good overview of contemporary cairo life, but with its many stories and its simplifications can feel more like it skims the surface than truly explores the many hidden depths even as it shares so many intimacies. Feb 22, 2005 the following are excerpts from the yacoubian building by egyptian author alaa al aswany.
Themes and controversy the yacoubian building was branded a. An actual downtown cairo landmark called the yacoubian building is the books unifying element, housing all strata of egyptian society. American readers coming to this novel will find it a vibrant and. Aswany brings those who live and work there vibrantly alive. The yacoubian building is established as a series of plays about characters whose destiny soon converge. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the yacoubian building. This tenstory structure, i found, has a lot to say. A novel and join the genius community of scholars to learn the meaning behind the words. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality. Feb 22, 2005 yacoubian building houses uncomfortable truths the controversial, bestselling egyptian novel the yacoubian building describes a country that is corrupt, unfair and thuggish. Morgan gensler geog 209 shaul cohen the yacoubian building essay november 20, 2012 in alaa al aswanys novel, the yacoubian building, love and sex are a major theme surrounding each character in an entanglement of connections to one another. In addition, by using a single structure as the physical locus in.
Themes in the yacoubian building by lancelot naipierkane on prezi. The yacoubian building essay morgan gensler geog 209. Bothayna, poor and beautiful, supports her family, wanting to do so with dignity intact. The revolution was initially aimed at overthrowing king farouk. The film is based on the bestselling novel by alaa alaswany. Built in 1934 for an armenian millionaire, its fall from grace is just one aspect of egypts general dilapidation.
Alaa al aswanys the yacoubian building 2002, which became a bestselling egyptian and arab novel worldwide in the past decade, owes its title to the ambition of an armenian millionaire who wanted immortality through a building that bears his name. He decided to write one last novel, the yacoubian building, and attempt to have it. Movies like the yacoubian building if you like the yacoubian building you are looking for touching, emotional and serious movies about with prostitute, politics, couple relations, religions or cults, midlife crisis, political corruption and gender themes of drama genre shot in egypt or france. But in the yacoubian building, an apartment complex on a downtown street tells the story of a whole nation. Then again, love, sex and death are the novelistic big themes, possibly the. Following that lead, the yacoubian building is filled with sexual harassment, promiscuity, homosexuality, and even pedophilia, all described in graphic detail. Really enjoyed this book which contains snapshots of some of the residents of the yacoubian building, and once we are introduced to them we follow them for a period of time. The yacoubian building in cairo, has seen better days. Mar 06, 2016 alaa al aswanys the yacoubian building 2002, which became a bestselling egyptian and arab novel worldwide in the past decade, owes its title to the ambition of an armenian millionaire who wanted immortality through a building that bears his name.
The book was made into a film of the same name in 2006 and into a tv series in 2007 published in arabic in 2002 and in an english translation in 2004, the book, ostensibly set in 1990 at about the time of the first gulf war, is a roman a clef and scathing. Through its firstclass citizens and workingclass roofdwellers we view wealth and poverty, character and corruption, vice, chauvinism, terrorism, homosexuality, politics, prostitution. The book focuses mainly on the residents of the yacoubian building, a oncechic but now rundown edifice that acts as a metaphor for cairos own deterioration. To ask other readers questions about the yacoubian building, please sign up. Homosexuality and the yacoubian building by catherine j. The yacoubian building is a true literary blockbusterthe bestselling novel in the middle east for two years and the inspiration for the biggest budget movie ever produced in egypt, according to national geographic. Yacoubian building houses uncomfortable truths the controversial, bestselling egyptian novel the yacoubian building describes a country that is. Upon completing the novel, aswany shared it with several friends in egyptian literary. This 41page guide for the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. The yacoubian building is fastmoving and actionpacked, with drama in every scene and shifts between the different strands used to provide tension. Erected in the mid 1930s in cairos newly europeanized centre, the building is an. Prostitutes were given permits and had to be checked for disease every week. Aug 08, 2015 the yacoubian building illustrates these two points in several ways.
All manner of flawed and fragile humanity reside in the yacoubian building, a onceelegant temple of art deco splendor now slowly decaying in the smog and bustle. A conversation with alaa alaswany on the yacoubian building. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany librarything. She hadmore my favorite was busayna because i could very slightly identify with some of her predicament in the workplace from long, long ago. He goes to university and makes friends with religious students who. Jul 05, 2012 the yacoubian building or edifice yacoubian, as officially named in french upon its completion is an edifice in cairo, egypt. However, the movement had more political ambitions, and soon moved to abolish the constitutional monarchy and aristocracy of egypt and sudan, establish a republic, end the british occupation of the country, and secure the independence of sudan. The stylistic device implemented is common in todays hollywood. An actual downtown cairo landmark called the yacoubian building is the book s unifying element, housing all strata of egyptian society. Oct 29, 2015 the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany in chm, epub, fb3 download e book. Susan my favorite was busayna because i could very slightly identify with some of her predicament in the workplace from long, long ago.
Feb 12, 2006 the yacoubian building a sprawling, starstudded epic that spans all social classes in todays cairo, the yacoubian building distinguishes itself both as the most expensive egyptian film ever. That book is all about double standards, corruption, state violence and an islamist movement that is gaining in momentum and embracing all those who feel wretched and deceived. Reviewed by mary whipple jul 16, 2009 the yacoubian building is a true literary blockbusterthe bestselling novel in the middle east for two years and the inspiration for the biggest budget movie ever produced in egypt, according to national geographic. Themes in the yacoubian building by lancelot naipier. John yacoubian began his career after training as a master tailor for thirteen years. I liked the yacoubian building, he continued, because it presented a true picture of egypt today. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. In the hot evenings of autumn 2002, cairos streetside cafes were packed with men, women and teenagers riffling intently. The book was made into a film of the same name in 2006 and into a tv series in 2007. Sep 03, 2007 the yacoubian building is a novel about modernday cairo, using the residents of the building as a broad crosssection of egyptian society. The yacoubian building the yacoubian building themes religion. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany in chm, epub, fb3 download ebook. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read on the state of egypt. The yacoubian building notes of a spurkahye finally come home.
The yacoubian building is a real landmark in egypt, that most of the wealthy tenants were chased out during. Sex is big in this book, but not graphic sex, but rather sex seems to be pervasive in the lives of many of the residents, so do not let that put you off on this book. The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany takes place in cairo in the 1990s during the first gulf war when iraq invaded kuwait and the u. Religion homosexuality o abduh is a person that also sacrifices his dignity in order to support his family but immerses. The yacoubian building itself is a oncehandsome art deco block on the boulevard known now as talaat harb, but here called by its old name of suleiman basha street.
Al aswany highlights four broad themes that affect all levels of egytian life. The latter was oncechic but it is now an edifice that functions as a metaphor that symbolizes cairos own destruction. American readers coming to this novel will find it a vibrant and descriptive primer illuminating the various forces in. Primarily, the book majors on the residents of the yacoubian building. The building doesnt talk, of course, but it shelters the many people whose lives the book recounts. It is also only as of late that authors and filmmakers have begun to examine the omnipotent presence of religion in their society. Through their various exploits, we learn about businessmen, politics, closet homosexuality, students, entrepeneurs and families living hand to mouth. The yacoubian building notes of a spurkahye finally come.
The yacoubian building provides a glimpse into the complicated lives of residents of an egyptian building. The center of the book is the various stories of some of the people who live and work in the yacoubian building. Best movies like the yacoubian building bestsimilar. Alaa al aswanys novel the yacoubian building describes a beautiful building, combining french and greek architecture in grandiose statues and balconies, in the novel we follow the lives of those who live and work together in a building of the same name. A clever girl can look after herself and keep her job 42. Themes in the yacoubian building by lancelot naipierkane. A journalist who writes a controversial opposition column, al.
The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany goodreads. Erected in the mid 1930s in cairos newly europeanized centre, the building is an architectural jewel, and was then the home of a multitude of. The novel is set in downtown cairo, where there is an actual yacoubian building in which the author alaa al aswany had his first dental practice. Alaa alaswanys novel the yacoubian building 2002, arabic tells the story of a group of people loosely bound together by. This controversial bestselling novel in the arab world reveals the political corruption, sexual repression, religious extremism, and modern hopes of egypt today. Now, in chicago, his second novel to appear in english, al aswany takes on america. Harsh impact of dictatorship and corruption on citizens of all classes alaa al aswanis novel the yacoubian building weaves the lives together of residents of the titular building where wealthy residents live below the ramshackle units for the destitute on the roof.
Alaa al aswany is the internationally bestselling author of the yacoubian building and chicago. Aug 27, 2006 an actual downtown cairo landmark called the yacoubian building is the books unifying element, housing all strata of egyptian society. The yacoubian building is a novel about modernday cairo, using the residents of the building as a broad crosssection of egyptian society. All manner of flawed and fragile humanity reside in the yacoubian building, a onceelegant.
In the yacoubian building, al aswany traced the overlapping lives. The residents of the yacoubian building hardly talk to each other, separated by the walls of the building. In their stead, a new breed of cairenes has moved in. The yacoubian building is the sort of dense neighbourhood novel which, though quite out of. The following are excerpts from the yacoubian building by egyptian author alaa al aswany. Busayna is expected to sacrifice her dignity for her family. The yacoubian building and the new generation through an. Military coup led by muhammad naguib and gamal abdel nasser.
Adopted from a novel, the yacoubian building 2006, is a film directed by marwan hamed. The yacoubian building is the sort of dense neighbourhood novel which, though quite out of style when set in london or. Built in 1934 for an armenian millionaire, its fall from grace is for this author just one aspect of egypts general dilapidation. The author alaa al aswany uses the book to reveal the despicable cairo where corruption is propagated in daily activities. Since opening its doors in november of 1969 yacoubian tailors has been chattanoogas premier destination for exclusive clothing. A dentist whose first office was in the yacoubian building, he has written prolifically for egyptian newspapers across the political spectrum on literature, politics and social issues. She accepted her responsibility to take care of her. Sometimes, discussing the political or social or other themes in a novel and crediting those for its popularity. But the war is not the focus of the book, it is pretty much background.
Read the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany for free with a 30 day free trial. What made the revolution inevitable ebook written by alaa al aswany. The french and greek structures of the building itself describes westernized egyptian culture, almost attempting to become one with the nations who have colonized them, renouncing traditional egyptian styled architecture and traditions. Its a sort of reverse upstairs, downstairs building, with the more wealthy living in multi room apartments on one of the ten floors, while the poor live in small tin huts on the roof. Imarat yaqubyan is a novel by egyptian author alaaalaswany.
Egyptian sexuality in the 90s homosexuality was a taboo prostitution was made legal in late 18s up to early 19s. From the pious son of the buildings doorkeeper and the raucous, impoverished squatters on its roof, via the tattered aristocrat and the gay intellectual in its. In the hot evenings of autumn 2002, cairos streetside cafes were packed with. Read the yacoubian building online by alaa al aswany books. Set in the late 20th century egypt, after the egyptian revolution of 1952, the yacoubian building started filling up with people from egypts lower class, while some others from the upper and middle classes stayed put. Harper perennial, 2007 originally published in arabic. In the yacoubian building, alaa al aswany creates a memorable cast of characters who, taken as a whole, may represent the range of groups or classes in contemporary egypt. Answered questions 1 which of the many interesting characters did you like best in alaa alaswanys debut novel that first took egypt by storm and then quickly became an international bestseller. The yacoubian building by alaa alaswany 2006 not even past. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Economics in the yacoubian building gender in the egyptian 90s apartment vs. This film portrays the life of several egyptian people, and has the yacoubian building itself as the unifying element of all these individuals adams. In the course of this unforgettable novel, these disparate lives converge, careening inexorably toward an explosive conclusion. Scenes and characters, such as taha and busayana, portray the pain and frustration that many of these younger egyptians are going through, and how that marginalizes many of the egyptians in the new generations, and how this.
The yacoubian building by alaa al aswany had been published even earlier than that the original in 2002 and the english version in 2004. The yacoubian building holds all that egypt was and has become over the 75 years since its namesake was built on one of downtown cairos main boulevards. Apr 28, 2018 the yacoubian building is a realist film that portrays the reality many young egyptians are living through. Tenants of the yacoubian building mirror the full length of egyptian society as it has passed from the era of privileged pashas to a scrappier social order. This 41page guide for the yacoubian building by alaa al aswany includes. The ethically suspicious actions of the characters in the book demonstrate the moral deficits that can emanate from a corrupt political system. The yacoubian building a sprawling, starstudded epic that spans all social classes in todays cairo, the yacoubian building distinguishes itself both as the most expensive egyptian film ever. She had practicality and perseverance despite her setbacks.