Religious fanaticism, homosexuality and dirty old men

The Yacoubian Building was the best selling Arabic book in both 2002 and 2003. It has been made into a motion picture as well as a TV show. And no wonder it got all that attention, considering how candid it is about sensitive topics such as sex (especially of the homosexual variety), religion and politics.

The Yacoubian Building doesn't have much of a plot, instead it is largely character driven. It follows the residents of the Yacoubian building, an apartment complex in Cairo (which actually exists, and where the author Alaa-al-Aswany had his first dentist's office). Ranging from the expensive, large apartments in the actual building to the improvised houses built on the roof by the very poorest, the Yacoubian building accomodates all sorts. There are crooks, idealists, politicians and young women just about to blossom.

More than anything this novel is a biting criticism of the modern Egyptian society. Its corruption is ruthlessly exposed. Alaa-al-Aswany doesn't spare anyone, but he doesn't condemn either. One of the strongest points about The Yacoubian Building is the warmth and compassion with which the characters are described. Taha, who joins a militant islamist organization craving revenge after having been brutally tortured and raped by policemen, and Busayna, who performs sexual favors to her boss for some extra cash and gifts; they and everyone else can be understood and even forgiven.

The Yacoubian Building is permeated by great story telling joy and has some really memorable characters. Above all, it offers a unique insight into modern day Egypt.

The BBC World Book Club has a downloadable interview with Alaa-al-Aswany that is well worth a listen here.

Madame Bovary, c'est moi

"Madame Bovary, c'est moi." 

Gustave Flaubert might have written Madame Bovary in much the same spirit as Cervantes wrote Don Quixote; aspiring to warn the masses against reading too much (like there could be such a thing). But apparently he himself felt an affinity with his widely despised character. Apparently enough of an affinity to say that he was Madame Bovary.

Poor Emma Bovary set herself up to fail. Her avid reading of romantic novels led her to have certain expectations. No one told her about the difference between reality and fiction, and hence she went through life expecting to be swept away by great love and craving luxury. Of course, all there was in store for her were disappointing love affairs, debt and arsenic.

This blog is a statement of sorts. A confession. I plead guilty. Guilty of romanticizing, fantasizing and idealizing à la Emma Bovary.

The Madame Bovarys of this world may annoy some, but this is a place for shameful indulgence. A place devoted to immersion into all things fiction.