Review: Taxi by Khaled Al Khamissi
Title: Taxi
Author: Al Khamissi, Khaled
Translator: Wright, Jonathan
Length: 192 pages
Genre: Fiction
Publisher / Year: Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation / 2011 originally published in Arabic in 2006
Source: Borrowed from Carina
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: I was running out of reading material so had to read hers as well 
Date Read: 04/04/12
This has been described as a book that predicted the Egyptian revolution and I’d have to agree that in many ways it really does. In this collection of 58 fictional monologues or discussions between the main character and various taxi drivers in Egypt, written in 2005, we get an idea of what life was like for ordinary citizens in Cairo. All of the stories are incredible and engaging. As an example, on page 32 we hear a rant about the evils of women, and the main character muses that “Every age has its people who hope that the Day of Resurrection is nigh, to bring them justice against tyranny and oppression.”
Much of the stories have this kind of attitude. That things are bad and that there must be a solution, but that they don’t know what it is. Perhaps resurrection is coming, or perhaps there is no hope, but either way the current situation is terrible. They complain about bribery and corruption, about the police force, about the changing rules and regulations, about the pointlessness of voting, about the political and economic situation. We get varying opinions and view that sometimes agree, sometimes conflict, but always present new and interesting takes on situations. At the same time we get a good education and grounding on life in Cairo.
Another story I really enjoyed was one in which a driver discusses how Egypt, and other countries, should use the rhetoric of the United States against it. That other countries should monitor their elections to ensure the proper functioning of democracy, especially after all the talk of fraud in the 2004 elections. That they should talk about how they must use force if necessary to protect Cuba, they should invade to control the weapons of mass destruction, and so on. This was a great section that I think would make any US reader think about the ways in which they still control much of the global monitoring despite their own issues that also need to be addressed.
A really interesting and varied collection that was a joy to read. I look forward to more by this author.
A fine review. I do think that taxi driers can be a great source of informal information, at least in Ghana becasue they have their radios on most of the time and passengers also feel free to talk without fear of being reported since the drivers and indeed each passenger on board remain faceless. An interesting angle for a plot. Thanks for sharing
Yes readinpleasure, the angle of a taxi driver was a new one for me but it makes a lot of sense. I always have random conversations with taxi drivers so I imagine that they would know a lot about what is going on at any point in time!
It does sound like this covers a variety of points of view. Here in Canada, your taxi driver can be any nationality and any level of education which makes it interesting.
Yes, I do love that Heather
This does sound very intriguing, and also very different than most of the books that address this topic. I love that Al Khamissi gets the opinions of the everyday man, and taxi drivers in particular. It makes the book seem totally unbiased and honest, and that’s a quality I really admire in nonfiction. I really want to read this book!
This was fiction actually zibilee, but yes, very interesting!
I love works of fiction that are based on real life encounters and dialogue.
Khaled Al Khamissi’s chronicled accounts are an historical augury of the fate of nations where democracy is failing.
Yes and a really interesting collection too Kwadwo! It’s easy to see conversations like this taking place and him working them into his narratives.
This sounds great. I’m into Arabic fiction at the moment so I’ll give it a try. I don’t know about the author, but the translator recently did Youssef Ziedan’s Azazeel, which is well worth checking out.
If you’re currently reading Arabic lit, this is definitely a great one to pick up markbooks! It’s historically important right now, and a really well-written book as well. Also, Azazeel is on my wish list at present!
I m looking forward to reading this one my self Amy ,I like idea of little glimpses into peoples lives ,all the best stu
I think you would really enjoy it Stu.
This sounds like a fascinating way to tell a story. Or rather a great setting for short stories since the passengers keep changing. I think I will have to look for this book.
I really think that it was Athira, a great read. It’s written as one passenger having many experiences, so more like a novel, but has the taxi drivers changing, and they are often more monologue type essays by the drivers which gives it the short story feel. Really neat.