The Queue
( Arabic - طابور ( Altabur ) - 2012 )
novel by Basma Abdel Aziz
translated by Elisabeth Jaquette
Published: Melville House - trade paperback - 2016
ISBN: 1612195164 / 9781612195162
Melville House - trade paperback - 2016 ( UK )
ISBN: 0993414907 / 9780993414909
Melville House - e-book - 2016
eISBN: 1612195172 / 9781612195179
ASIN: B013NI7V9S
Melville House - audiobook - 2016
ASIN: B01H7PHXHS
Melville House - PDF - 2016
url: https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-queue/
synopsis
In a surreal, but familiar, vision of modern day Egypt, a centralized authority known as 'the Gate' has risen to power in the aftermath of the 'Disgraceful Events,' a failed popular uprising. Citizens are required to obtain permission from the Gate in order to take care of even the most basic of their daily affairs, yet the Gate never opens, and the queue in front of it grows longer.
Citizens from all walks of life mix and wait in the sun: a revolutionary journalist, a sheikh, a poor woman concerned for her daughter's health, and even the brother of a security officer killed in clashes with protestors. Among them is Yehia, a man who was shot during the Events and is waiting for permission from the Gate to remove a bullet that remains lodged in his pelvis. Yehia's health steadily declines, yet at every turn, officials refuse to assist him, actively denying the very existence of the bullet.
Ultimately it is Tarek, the principled doctor tending to Yehia's case, who must decide whether to follow protocol as he has always done, or to disobey the law and risk his career to operate on Yehia and save his life.
awards
English PEN award
( Arabic - طابور ( Altabur ) - 2012 )
novel by Basma Abdel Aziz
translated by Elisabeth Jaquette
Published: Melville House - trade paperback - 2016
ISBN: 1612195164 / 9781612195162
Melville House - trade paperback - 2016 ( UK )
ISBN: 0993414907 / 9780993414909
Melville House - e-book - 2016
eISBN: 1612195172 / 9781612195179
ASIN: B013NI7V9S
Melville House - audiobook - 2016
ASIN: B01H7PHXHS
Melville House - PDF - 2016
url: https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-queue/
synopsis
In a surreal, but familiar, vision of modern day Egypt, a centralized authority known as 'the Gate' has risen to power in the aftermath of the 'Disgraceful Events,' a failed popular uprising. Citizens are required to obtain permission from the Gate in order to take care of even the most basic of their daily affairs, yet the Gate never opens, and the queue in front of it grows longer.
Citizens from all walks of life mix and wait in the sun: a revolutionary journalist, a sheikh, a poor woman concerned for her daughter's health, and even the brother of a security officer killed in clashes with protestors. Among them is Yehia, a man who was shot during the Events and is waiting for permission from the Gate to remove a bullet that remains lodged in his pelvis. Yehia's health steadily declines, yet at every turn, officials refuse to assist him, actively denying the very existence of the bullet.
Ultimately it is Tarek, the principled doctor tending to Yehia's case, who must decide whether to follow protocol as he has always done, or to disobey the law and risk his career to operate on Yehia and save his life.
awards
English PEN award