Chicago

Name: Chicago
SKU: 9780061452581
Availability: InStock

EGP1,175.00

The author of the highly acclaimed The Yacoubian Building returns with a story of love, sex, friendship, hatred, and ambition set in Chicago, with a cast of American and Arab characters achingly human in their desires and needs.
Egyptian and American lives collide on a college campus in post-9/11 Chicago, and crises of identity abound in this extraordinary and eagerly anticipated new novel from Alaa Al Aswany. Among the players are a sixties-style anti-establishment professor whose relationship with a younger African-American woman becomes a moving target for intolerance; a veiled PhD candidate whose belief in the principles of her traditional upbringing is shaken by her exposure to American society; an émigré whose fervent desire to embrace his American identity is tested when he is faced with the issue of his daughter’s “honor”; an Egyptian informant who spouts religious doctrines while hankering after money and power; and a dissident student poet who comes to America to finance his literary aspirations but whose experience in Chicago turns out to be more than he bargained for.
Populated by a cast of intriguing, true-to-life characters, Chicago offers an illuminating portrait of America—a complex, often contradictory land in which triumph and failure, opportunity and oppression, licentiousness and tender love, small dramas and big dreams, coexist. Beautifully rendered, Chicago is a powerfully engrossing novel of culture and individuality from one of the most original voices in contemporary world literature.

SKU: 9780061452581 Categories: Books, E Arabic Literature in Translation, English Books, Literature &Fiction Author: Alaa Al Aswany

REFUND AND RETURN POLICY

Chicago

Chicago Book Description

Chicago is a captivating English novel now available at Kalimat Bookstore Online. Alaa Al Aswany, the celebrated author of The Yacoubian Building, returns with a fresh tale of love, sex, friendship, hatred and ambition set against the vibrant backdrop of post‑9/11 Chicago. The story unfolds on a bustling college campus where Egyptian and American lives intersect, creating a tense yet hopeful atmosphere.

The narrator introduces a sixties‑style anti‑establishment professor who falls for a younger African‑American woman, sparking intolerance and conflict. Meanwhile, a veiled PhD candidate wrestles with the clash between her traditional upbringing and the freedoms of American society. An émigré strives to claim his American identity, only to face a painful dilemma over his daughter’s “honor.”

Additionally, an Egyptian informant mixes religious rhetoric with a ruthless hunger for money and power. Finally, a dissident student poet arrives in Chicago to fund his literary dreams, discovering that the city offers more challenges than he imagined. Through these vivid characters, Chicago paints an illuminating portrait of America—a land of contradictions where triumph coexists with failure, opportunity meets oppression, and tender love battles licentiousness.

Key Features of Chicago

Readers will enjoy a richly layered narrative that blends political commentary with intimate human drama. The novel offers a diverse cast of characters whose desires feel achingly real, allowing you to empathise with each personal struggle.

Furthermore, the post‑9/11 setting provides a compelling backdrop for exploring themes of belonging, honor, and the search for self. The author’s sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions bring campus life and city streets to life, making every scene immersive.

Additionally, Chicago delivers a balanced mix of tension and tenderness. Whether you are drawn to the professor’s radical ideals or the poet’s artistic ambitions, the book offers multiple entry points for readers of varied interests.

Why Read This Book?

Fans of literary fiction will appreciate Al Aswany’s masterful storytelling and his ability to weave social critique into personal narratives. The novel challenges readers to think about cultural identity in a globalised world.

Moreover, the fast‑paced plot and relatable characters keep you turning pages. You will discover how ordinary lives intersect with larger political forces, creating a thought‑provoking reading experience.

Meanwhile, the themes of love, ambition and honor resonate across cultures, making Chicago a valuable addition to any bookshelf. It offers both entertainment and insight, encouraging readers to reflect on their own values.

About This Book

Chicago is a powerful, engrossing novel that showcases one of contemporary world literature’s most original voices. Experience a fresh perspective on American life through the eyes of characters who are both unique and universally human.

Explore more details about the author and discover the best English books online in our store through this link. More detail about this book and its author can be found on Goodreads.