Book Review: If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English

If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English
By Noor Naga
Review by Jack
My favourite read of 2023…
We hit the ground running – every chapter starts with a profound yet absurd question that provides a frame. The writing is sharp, searing and sometimes bleak, but it’s all wrapped up in rich imagery that makes reading it so thoroughly irresistible. Set in Cairo, our two protagonists melt into each other, forming a tangled mess where the individual characters are only determined by the presence of the other. This novel is complex and impossible to unravel, being violent, twisted, elegant and clever all at the same time. No review can do this justice, so please, do yourself a favour if you’re feeling daring enough, and give this excellent read a go!