This is the most beautiful book of memoirs i have ever read. It think his intention was to present the Jewish experience in and expulsion from Alexandria in the 1900s. André Aciman's account of growing up in Alexandria, Egypt, from his birth in 1951 to his large, quirky Jewish family's regretful departure from the city in 1965 actually delves farther into the past when some in the family arrived from Constantinople in 1905 with others joining later when their second homes in Europe became unsafe or economically unviable during world wars and other political events. And again. Something went wrong. They concealed their Jewishness when Nasser was in power, a time of high Arab nationalism, intense anti-Semitism and then war. He perpetually dances between memory and feeling, making me reel with those ever so casual punches in the gut, the haze of life painted with words so effortless. Now only get in August when return to Lisbon. Surely, the narrator and his family could not be more different than me or my family. Beautifully written: a real gem of a memoir. Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018. Reading the two sequentially (OOE then CMBYN) makes sense even though I happened to read them the other way around. by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2019. And through it all, we come to know a boy who, even as he longs for a wider world, does not want to be led, forever, out of Egypt. Some words are not correct Arabic. Aciman creates a romantic portrait of a bygone time without idealizing his colorful ancestors. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. The book shines a light on the formative years of Mr. Acimans life while immersing the reader in exciting tales of a now lost way of life. In most cases, items shipped from Amazon.com may be returned for a full refund. He lovingly describes each of his dysfuntional family members, relying on his own memory,the memories of others, and stories and documentation. In elegant and witty prose, André Aciman introduces us to the marvelous eccentrics who shaped his life--Uncle Vili, the strutting daredevil, soldier, salesman, and spy; the two grandmothers, the Princess and the Saint, who gossip in six languages; Aunt Flora, the German refugee who warns that Jews lose everything "at least twice in their lives." A truly interesting and memorable memoir by a fantastic author capturing his melancholy nostalgia for an Alexandria that no longer exists. Much of their interest is, in fact, in their pettiness, spitefulness, and bigotry. Surely, the narrator and his family could not be more different than me or my family. The book gives first hand testimonial to the complex and nuanced mosaic of cultures, religions and languages that made up Alexandria and the entire Middle East. Cannot recommend it enough. A skillful portrayal of an extraordinary clan. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. An endless catalogue of poorly observed trivia. There seem to be several different editions of this book. I would recommend the book to others who may have wondered about the lives and times of Jews living in Arab countries at war with Israel, both before and after it became a legitimate State of Israel. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2017, A superb book, worth reading and rereading. I haven't read his novels, but this is a marvelous book. Aciman was a teenager when he left Alexandria, which was the fate of all or most of the Jews doing private business in Egypt in the 60s. They were simultaneously assimilated, anti-Semitic, and practicing Jews; masters of their Egyptian servants and ``Dogs of the Arabs.'' He is currently chair of the Ph. I would recommend the book to others who may have wondered about the lives and times of Jews living in Arab countries at war with Israel, both before and after it became a legitimate State of Israel. The class includes, of course, that all-important section on how memoirs differ greatly from autobiographies... Before their exodus from Alexandria in 1956, three generations of a close knit Jewish family had lived a prosperous life. The book is a very good history, from the particular perspective of this, perhaps typical, Jewish family. he would ask. This is not simply another nostalgic account but a well-written and touching depiction of life in a community that has almost ceased to be. A marvelous memento of a place, time and people that have all disappeared. With this memoir, the author in part redeems the social life, customs, and history of a community that barely exists today amid an inhospitable milieu, due to political turmoil in close and remote lands. i grew up in the 40's and 50's Borough Park Brooklyn where Italians and Jews lived in great harmony...we were lower middle class while those in the book are upper class, but i understood them. Out of Egypt: A Memoir. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Call Me by Your Name and Find Me, a memoir of an extraordinary life. Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2018. I live upstate ny and would like to meet the author who teaches in the city to compare notes, if he cares to. But alas....I got about 100 pages in, all the while hoping the writing would clear up and the myriad characters would firm up in my head. Well worth reading it's an insight to another world.

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