Through the staff and guests of the Automobile Club of Cairo, Alaa EL ASWANY described the Egyptian society of the 40s; those of King Farouk (1920-1965) and "British protectorate": the director of the club, Mr. Wright, embodies the racist English, convinced of the superiority of Western on Egyptiens.Toute despotism, arbitrary, Corruption in Egypt is played by El Kwo, the royal chamberlain, who does not hesitate to tax tips for employees and to use corporal punishment. Through the portraits of members of the family Haman, Alaa EL ASWANY explores the various facets of Egyptian society: Abdelaziz's father, a descendant of a ruined gande family of Upper Egypt, forced to accept a job server to Automobile Club. And his children, Said, lazy whose ambition is finally guided by his wife; Kamel, the poet tried by revolutionary ideas; Saliha, the brilliant student and Mahmoud beefy who will adapt well the generosity of the British occupation. An original novel as exciting interesting. Only the first two chapters-including one tells the invention of the automobile by Carl Benz - struck me as incongruous and uninteresting.
