nedaelewa's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I watched the series before I read the book, and I actually found the book worse and better at the same time. We get to experience the thoughts of both Abdel Magid and Zaat and understand their ideas which made them way less likeable but also exposed their flaws and humanised them. I think this is why I thought the book was really interesting. Alternatively, it kind of disgusted me, in the best way possible. Sonallah Ibrahim definitely has his way with words to make the darkest comments witty in his own way. Zaat forced me to reflect on my privileges and how suffocating life was like during that period. It was, by all means, eye-opening. What I genuinely hated was the bias and lack of depth when talking about religion and religious people generally. I feel that religion is a very important part of an average Egyptian's life and it's not just a matter of appearances as the book put it out. Then again, I might be wrong. While I liked the book, I wouldn't actually recommend it to anyone. It's very slow paced, like reading-slump-paced, and very depressing.
drsarahgrace's review
4.0
This book, another Egyptian novel in translation, juxtaposes Egyptian newspaper articles against the story of a woman's life. The author has been given, and declined, all sorts of literary and national awards. He's great.
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