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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.

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Editorial Assessment

Zaat by Sonallah Ibrahim presents a biting critique of contemporary Egyptian society through the lens of its protagonist, a woman navigating the chaos of post-revolution life. The novel employs a fragmented narrative style that mirrors the disarray of the political and social landscape, highlighting themes of identity, consumerism, and the absurdity of bureaucratic life. Ibrahim's unflinching portrayal of female agency amid societal constraints makes this work a significant contribution to modern Arabic literature.
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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