Waguih Ghali (–1969)

Beer in the Snooker Club was written in 1964, and is narrated by Ram, a reluctant member of the privileged class living in post-Farouk Egypt. He likes to joke and gamble, and is constantly trying to get someone else to pay for his lifestyle. He is a Christian Copt and the woman he loves is a slightly older Jewish woman, Edna. His best friend is Font and Ram gets him a job at the snooker club to keep him from getting involved in any political activity. Eventually, Edna pays for Ram and Font to go the England where they can freely drink Bass and seduce women.

Ram lives in a changing Egypt but acknowledges he still has more opportunities than the less privileged Egyptians. He embraces socialism, but still takes advantage of his entitlements, while complaining that the government is corrupt. He spends his days drinking liquor paid for by other people. Somehow he is able to come off as both idealistic and cynical.

This is a short, but interesting book, set in a time of national turbulence, but doesn't feel the need to get into the deeper, more complicated questions of politics. Through Ram's adventures, the subjects are dealt with in a humorous way. I wouldn't read this for a real look into that time period, but a sort of 1950s feel that could be compared to Salinger.… (altro)

Beer in the Snooker Club was written in 1964, and is narrated by Ram, a reluctant member of the privileged class living in post-Farouk Egypt. He likes to joke and gamble, and is constantly trying to get someone else to pay for his lifestyle. He is a Christian Copt and the woman he loves is a slightly older Jewish woman, Edna. His best friend is Font and Ram gets him a job at the snooker club to keep him from getting involved in any political activity. Eventually, Edna pays for Ram and Font to go the England where they can freely drink Bass and seduce women.

Ram lives in a changing Egypt but acknowledges he still has more opportunities than the less privileged Egyptians. He embraces socialism, but still takes advantage of his entitlements, while complaining that the government is corrupt. He spends his days drinking liquor paid for by other people. Somehow he is able to come off as both idealistic and cynical.

This is a short, but interesting book, set in a time of national turbulence, but doesn't feel the need to get into the deeper, more complicated questions of politics. Through Ram's adventures, the subjects are dealt with in a humorous way. I wouldn't read this for a real look into that time period, but a sort of 1950s feel that could be compared to Salinger.… (altro)