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Book at Bedtime: The Yacoubian Building

Book at Bedtime: The Yacoubian Building: Episode 2

The Yacoubian Building

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Yacoubian Building, Episode 2

As Zaki Bey's feud with his sister escalates, he contemplates his messy life.

Alaa Al Aswany's 2002 novel provides glimpses of life in a modern Egyptian apartment building. As Zaki Bey feuds with his sister, he contemplates the mess he's made of his life.

Written by Alaa Al Aswany. Read by Mido Hamada.

As Zaki Bey's feud with his sister Dawlat escalates he contemplates the mess he's made of his life...

Once home to the creme de la creme of Egyptian society, The Yacoubian Building is now past its prime. Older residents cling to the faded glories and old-world charm of its past, while newer tenants busily prevent eager arrivals from usurping more space in a building that reflects 70 years of Egypt's social and political upheavals.

Structured as a series of intersecting vignettes, The Yacoubian Building follows Taha, the studious doorman's son; his first love, Busayna, who struggles to support her family; Zaki Bey el Dessouki, an elderly yet elegant lothario; Hatim Rasheed, the homosexual editor of a leading newspaper; rags-to riches millionaire and political aspirant Hagg Azzam; and the wheeler-dealer tailor Malak Khilla, among others, as they conspire, romance, suffer, and dream in the shadow of the historic edifice. Bursting with life, The Yacoubian Building vividly provides a revealing glimpse into contemporary Egypt, where a cosmopolitan past clashes with a tumultuous present.

Alaa Al Aswaney studied to be a dentist and in fact had his first surgery in The Yakoubian building before turning his hand to writing and becoming a worldwide bestselling author. The Yakoubian Building was made into a film in 2006.

He now lives in Chicago but has been commentating on and supporting the call for democracy in Egypt. 


Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus Production for BBC Radio 4.

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Alaa Al Aswany's 2002 novel following the residents of a Cairo apartment building

Alaa Al Aswany's 2002 novel provides a revealing glimpse into contemporary Egypt as it follows the residents of a Cairo apartment building

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