I’ve just turned the last page of “The Yacoubian Building” (I read the French translation which explains the photo) a novel by Alaa El Aswany, original title “Imrat Yaqubyan” – 2004, and have to say I couldn’t put it down!
A novel set in modern-day Cairo, following the lives of the people who live in the Yacoubian building. I found it a bit hard-going for the first 50 pages because there are so many colourful characters, and so much to take in, that I got a little confused, but once introductions were over, it was a very stimulating read. Alaa El Aswany has taken a small segment of Cairo society and through his characters (ranging from a student, politician, business man, journalist, servant etc) paints a picture of modern Egypt.
