The Yacoubian Building by Alaa-Al-Aswany

Review by: Meagan Dashcund

The short
A ten-story of stories in late-20th century Cairo

The long
The novel follows six main characters whose complex lives touch on topics from family feuds to adultery, sexual assault, sexual repression, political corruption, and radicalization. Most of the novel takes place in a ten-story apartment complex, The Yacoubian Building, that also serves as a metaphor for modern Egyptian society (real world address: No. 34 on Talaat Harb, Cairo). What really makes this novel unique is its ground-breaking writing of homosexuality in contemporary Arab literature. If this sounds too good to be true, you can also read it in 23 languages (including Arabic, duh) or watch the movie, which was the highest-budgeted film in Egyptian cinematic history. There’s also a TV series, which we’re still trying to get our hands on.

To read or not to read?
A definite read for anyone itching to learn more about the taboo sides of Egyptian culture.