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Literary Fiction· Egypt

The Yacoubian Building

by Alaa Al Aswany
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2002Arabic
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About This Book

Published in 2002, The Yacoubian Building established Alaa Al Aswany as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Set in a once-grand apartment building in downtown Cairo, 'The Yacoubian Building' presents a microcosm of Egyptian society. Through the lives of its diverse residents, the novel explores themes of corruption, class struggle, and the quest for personal freedom. It offers a vivid portrayal of contemporary Egyptian life and has been praised for its candid exploration of social issues. Themes of corruption, class struggle, personal freedom run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAlaa Al Aswany
Published2002
Country of Origin🇪🇬 Egypt
LanguageArabic
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780060878139
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇪🇬 Egypt

This book is part of Egypt's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Egypt →

Editorial Assessment

The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2002 in Egypt, it engages with corruption, class struggle, personal freedom, urban life in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes The Yacoubian Building is how it handles its central concerns — corruption, class struggle, personal freedom, urban life — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Yacoubian Building reflects Alaa Al Aswany's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Egypt's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20060
✍️
About the Author
Alaa Al Aswany
Egypt
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Alaa Al Aswany is a Egypt author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Yacoubian Building about?

Set in a once-grand apartment building in downtown Cairo, 'The Yacoubian Building' presents a microcosm of Egyptian society. Through the lives of its diverse residents, the novel explores themes of corruption, class struggle, and the quest for personal freedom. It offers a vivid portrayal of contemporary Egyptian life and has been praised for its candid exploration of social issues.

Who wrote The Yacoubian Building?

The Yacoubian Building was written by Alaa Al Aswany, from Egypt. First published in 2002.

What awards has The Yacoubian Building won?

The Yacoubian Building has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Yacoubian Building worth reading?

The Yacoubian Building is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in corruption, class struggle, personal freedom.

Where can I buy The Yacoubian Building?

You can buy The Yacoubian Building on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Yacoubian Building?

The Yacoubian Building is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Yacoubian Building from?

The Yacoubian Building originates from Egypt's literary tradition. Explore more books from Egypt on our country page.

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