Present About Books نادي السيارات
| Title | : | نادي السيارات |
| Author | : | Alaa Al Aswany |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | 1st Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 644 pages |
| Published | : | April 2013 by دار الشروق |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Novels. Northern Africa. Egypt. Historical. Historical Fiction. Cultural. Africa. Literature. African Literature. Egyptian Literature |
Alaa Al Aswany
Paperback | Pages: 644 pages Rating: 3.45 | 12791 Users | 1915 Reviews
Narration Toward Books نادي السيارات
The story opens in present time, with a harried author organizing his first computer printout of his newest novel; suddenly, before him stand two apparitions dressed in 1940’s apparel, Kamel and Saleha Gaafar, living breathing people from his book. They have come to add more, because, "You might have written it, but we are the ones who lived it." This charming bit of magic realism introducing the novel (which we now know will be told from an unabridged, "warts and all" perspective),is reminiscent of much Arabian storytelling: the wise man, the sage, the mystic recounts that which he was told to be true. The device is a useful one in a myriad of ways; the teller may weave lessons for his audience or, avoid responsibility for the inherent "truths" in an unstable political situation, or simply bemuse the reader and ready them for many adventures, villains, heroes, lovers and a great tale. The Automobile Club of Egypt by Alaa Al Aswany fits the bill. It is an English translation of the original Arabic, written for an Egyptian public. British phrases of the era are used throughout, appropriate as the somewhat "old-fashioned" English spoken at that time. The setting is Cairo, post WWII, prior to Egypt becoming fully independent and after years of frustration with the British imposing themselves upon the country as masters and protectors. The foreign elite maintains its rigid rituals and racial bigotry, however, seeing Egyptians as useful for providing them with service - as do local royalty, especially its indulgent and frivolous King. The setting, history, culture and social attitudes seen through the eyes of this Egyptian novelist made it quite fascinating. The Gaafar family have made the move after their finances have taken a turn for the worse, and Abd El-Aziz, father and husband, gets a job working at the prestigious Automobile Club. His wife, three sons and daughter start new lives. They make new friends, experience poverty, grief. Life goes on. James Wright, a pompous Englishman who is contemptuous of Egyptians, "They're dirty, stupid, filthy, liars and thieves", is the club manager but Alku who is the palace head chamberlain has appointed himself as staff manager. While obsequious to the foreign patrons and Egyptian royalty members, Alku is a tyrant with the staff, taking their tips and meting out physical punishment for any transgression. Indirectly or directly, The Automobile Club is the wheel around which the characters and their overlapping stories turn, as the hierarchy seeks to maintain itself, the king spends and lives ostentatiously and the workers are kept submissive. Outside, nationalism is quietly growing as resentment increases while the country remains a British protectorate. Because I am not Egyptian, I don't know whether the untarnished history described and ideas generated in the novel are meant to be food for thought indirectly and slyly offered up especially to youth of Egypt, who have no memory of the novel's timeline, as they live in a radicalized political regime. After reading a number of reviews which picked this book to death (I was trying to remember why I wanted to read it!), I decided there must have been some positive ones and settled back to read. I let myself flow with the stories, the people, the foibles, their triumphs and hopes, their struggles for dignity in the most humbling conditions and their sheer stupidity, because everyone is human. I am sorry the book came to an end. Recommended for those who have a broad range of historical knowledge, an appreciation of social differences in culture, recognition of any country's vision of government as unique and an enjoyment of irony. Unless so equipped, you may miss the best of the novel otherwise.Describe Books To نادي السيارات
| Original Title: | نادي السيارات |
| Edition Language: | Arabic |
| Literary Awards: | Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize Nominee for Russell Harris (2016) |
Rating About Books نادي السيارات
Ratings: 3.45 From 12791 Users | 1915 ReviewsCriticism About Books نادي السيارات
This is the first book I've read by Aswany, but it won't be the last. He brings history to life through his characters, but I was somewhat reminded of V. J. Naipaul's A House for Mr. Biswas, not in content but in style and universality. Admittedly a little slow in the setup, but worth the effort in the end.I'm not sure this book is what I expected, but I read to the end. Behind the story it gently challenges us to think about the issues and effects of colonialism.
From BBC Radio 4 - Book ate Bedtime:Once a respected landowner, Abd el-Aziz Gaafar has fallen into penury and has moved his family to Cairo. He is forced into menial work at the Automobile Club, a refuge of colonial luxury and privilege for its European members.A vibrant and moving story of a family swept up by social unrest in post-War Cairo, written by Alaa Al Aswany, the internationally best-selling author of The Yacoubian Building and Chicago.Episode 2:Abd el-Aziz's wages from the Automobile
The story opens in present time, with a harried author organizing his first computer printout of his newest novel; suddenly, before him stand two apparitions dressed in 1940s apparel, Kamel and Saleha Gaafar, living breathing people from his book. They have come to add more, because, "You might have written it, but we are the ones who lived it."This charming bit of magic realism introducing the novel (which we now know will be told from an unabridged, "warts and all" perspective),is reminiscent
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. Had read his previous book and was eager to read this. The author follows a family in Cairo post-WWII, and before the British have relinquished their hold on Egypt. The family has lost their fortune and been forced to relocate from Upper Egypt to Cairo; the father suddenly has to struggle to support his family while maintaining his dignity. Fascinating, well written book.
As I read through the gripping pages of drama and conflict surrounding the Royal Automobile Club of Egypt -- old-fashioned love stories, interwoven tales of seduction and debauchery, poverty and decadent wealth, violence and submissiveness, royalty and slavery, stories that in some ways could match those of A Thousand and One Nights -- I could not help but wonder how it was that the book opened with a scene that smacked more of post-modernism than the dramatized historical drama that followed,
Rather depressing comment on Egyptian character And society. Sudden ending. Felt unfinished ....
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