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Literary Fiction· Egypt

Zaat

by Sonallah Ibrahim
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1992Arabic
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About This Book

Zaat by Sonallah Ibrahim is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1992. 'Zaat' is a satirical novel that chronicles the life of an Egyptian woman named Zaat, juxtaposing her personal experiences with historical events in Egypt. The novel critiques the socio-political landscape of Egypt, highlighting issues such as bureaucracy, corruption, and the impact of economic policies on ordinary citizens. It is notable for its unique narrative style, blending fiction with newspaper clippings. Themes of bureaucracy, corruption, economic policies run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorSonallah Ibrahim
Published1992
Country of Origin🇪🇬 Egypt
LanguageArabic
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9789774245540
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

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

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Country of Origin

🇪🇬 Egypt

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

Explore books from Egypt →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1992, Sonallah Ibrahim's Zaat is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with bureaucracy, corruption, economic policies, gender roles gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Zaat among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 0 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Zaat is how it handles its central concerns — bureaucracy, corruption, economic policies, gender roles — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Sonallah Ibrahim's role in the literature of Egypt is well established. Zaat can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple 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.
✍️
About the Author
Sonallah Ibrahim
Egypt
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Sonallah Ibrahim 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 Zaat about?

'Zaat' is a satirical novel that chronicles the life of an Egyptian woman named Zaat, juxtaposing her personal experiences with historical events in Egypt. The novel critiques the socio-political landscape of Egypt, highlighting issues such as bureaucracy, corruption, and the impact of economic policies on ordinary citizens. It is notable for its unique narrative style, blending fiction with newspaper clippings.

Who wrote Zaat?

Zaat was written by Sonallah Ibrahim, from Egypt. First published in 1992.

What awards has Zaat won?

Zaat has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Zaat worth reading?

Zaat 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 bureaucracy, corruption, economic policies.

Where can I buy Zaat?

You can buy Zaat on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Zaat?

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

What country is Zaat from?

Zaat originates from Egypt's literary tradition. Explore more books from Egypt on our country page.

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