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If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English

Noor Naga

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Nov 23, 2022 Shiva rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed

This is part of my reading of 2022 Giller Prize shortlist. I expected to learn some about Egypt and the Arab Spring and post-revolution Egypt. Well, that didn’t happen to my expectations. The scenes described in the book felt shallow and constructed rather than lived in. Sorry, but I needed more.

“If you weren't there I can't tell you what it was like. To wake up from a dream you have been dreaming since birth is powerful. But to wake up from a dream you have been dreaming from birth with almost ...more

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Jul 09, 2023 Natasha rated it it was amazing

Lovely. The writing is beautiful. The characters are believable and flawed.

A story about class and identity in post Arab-Spring Cairo.

Couldn’t recommend it more.

I will write everything by this author.

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Apr 16, 2022 Sam rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed, 1-contemp-literary, setting-middle-east-northafrica, read-2022

Noor Naga gives us a glimpse into post-revolution Egypt as well as an interesting character study, highlighting questions of privilege and power. I can see how this novel could be polarizing. For me, I just fell in love with the writing, especially the way she captures the disappointment of unfulfilled promises of the 2011 Egyptian revolution. As for the main conflict itself--you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop as you follow the complicated relationship between a young Egyptian American ...more

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