The Republic of False Truths
Egypt

The Republic of False Truths

by Alaa Al Aswany

Society & Class Historical Fiction 2022

Summary

Cairo, 2011. After decades under a repressive regime, tensions are rising in the city streets. No one is out of reach of the revolution. There is General Alwany, a high-ranking member of the government's security agency, a pious man who loves his family yet won't hesitate to torture enemies of the state; Asma, a young teacher who chafes against the brazen corruption at her school; Ashraf, an out-of-work actor who is having an affair with his maid and who gets pulled into Tahrir Square through a chance encounter; Nourhan, a television personality who loyally defends those in power; and many more.

As these lives collide, a new generation finds a voice, love blossoms across class divides, and the revolution gains strength. Even the general finds himself at a crossroads as his own daughter joins the protests. Yet the old regime will not give up without a fight.

With an unforgettably vivid cast of characters and a heart-pounding narrative banned across much of the region, Alaa Al Aswany gives us a deeply human portrait of the Egyptian Revolution, and an impassioned retelling of his country's turbulent recent history.

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Country
Egypt
Africa
About the author
Alaa Al Aswany
Alaa Al Aswany

Alaa Al Aswany is an Egyptian novelist, essayist, and former dentist, widely regarded as one of the most prominent contemporary writers in Arabic literature. Born in Cairo in 1957, he studied dentistry at Cairo University and later continued his training at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He practised dentistry for many years while developing his literary career. His breakthrough novel, The Yacoubian Building (2002), became an international bestseller, offering an unflinching portrait of Egyptian society through the lives of residents in a Cairo apartment building. His other notable works include Chicago, The Automobile Club of Egypt, and The Republic of False Truths. Known for combining engaging storytelling with sharp social criticism, Al Aswany frequently examines authoritarianism, corruption, class divisions, and the struggle for individual freedom. He has received several international literary awards and was appointed a Chevalier of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2016. His works have been translated into more than thirty languages.

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Details
Published
2022
Author
Alaa Al Aswany