The City Always Wins

April 10, 2017
A breakneck history of the revolution that began in Tahrir Square, this debut novel from filmmaker Hamilton covers the chaotic period between Egypt’s 2011 elections and the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood’s government by the military. The story is told from the perspective of Khalil, a podcaster who chronicles the uprising through recording demonstrations and the stories of those martyred in the struggle. As events spiral out of control, he is forced to “record, splice, upload. No time for artistry,” and as protests in Tahrir degenerate into assaults against women and curfews are declared across the nation, Khalil bemoans that interest is waning outside of Egypt for “the withering spectacle” the revolution has become. Once General Sisi takes power, Khalil is flabbergasted that the man he calls a “black hole of charisma” has turned Cairo into “a military-themed fairground of Sisi sandwiches and fridge magnets.” Much of Hamilton’s book moves at a blistering pace, and he proves a worthy guide to the notable events captured here. But like its narrator, Hamilton’s book is enervated by rallies dwindling to “fifty, sixty people where once there were ten thousand,” and later chapters are prolonged by Khalil’s musings on how Egypt has become “an island floating away from reality.” The book is at its best when recording the events of the revolution, rather than when it serves as an exploration of Khalil’s character and relationships.

Narrator Peter Ganim dramatizes the Arab Spring protests in Egypt, which captured international headlines. The violence and optimism of the period is told through the eyes of young journalists Khalil and Mariam. It's an interesting and important story, contemporary to our times. Ganim sets a rapid pace for the dialogue and action scenes, emphasizing the high stakes the protesters faced as they wagered their lives on the future of their nation. This living history is made personal through Ganim's wide range of characterizations. Even the female characters are well represented in level and precise tones. They come across as determined and dedicated as the men. M.R. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine