Friendly Fire

This is the second of Alaa al Aswani books that I read in the past couple of months and even though I am not a short story lover, I have enjoyed to the core this new trip around the roads and cities of Egypt, despite the harsh and painful human landscape it depicts. The author is the one who could readily be accused of firing towards its own people, but as you make progress through the stories, you do realize that unfortunately it is the people itself who is shooting blindly in all directions, hurting everyone.

Treachery, violence, extremism, corruption and lies all lurk dangerously beneath the smiling surface and the ever tricky cover of traditions. The short stories often start in a casual way but, little by little, the real and tyrannic aspect of a day to day life made of compromises shows its grin on the characters' faces. Humiliation, fear, defeat crush lives and provide a fertile ground for revenge and rage.

Thankfully, there are short-lived episodes of hope and kindness, but they are weak compared to the disastrous effects of inequality and pain combined. A must-read to fight off ignorance - only then will friendly fire have positive effects and bring about a form of healing.