The Queue

More about the book

Set against a backdrop of a failed political uprising, this chilling debut evokes an Orwellian dystopia and Kafkaesque surrealism, reflecting life after the Arab Spring. In modern-day Egypt, a centralized authority known as 'the Gate' has emerged following the 'Disgraceful Events,' a failed uprising. Citizens must seek permission from the Gate for even the most basic daily tasks, yet it never opens, causing the queue before it to grow longer. People from diverse backgrounds wait in the sun: a revolutionary journalist, a sheikh, a concerned mother, and the brother of a slain security officer. Among them is Yehia, who was shot during the Events and now waits for permission to remove a bullet lodged in his pelvis. As Yehia's health deteriorates, officials refuse to acknowledge his injury, denying him assistance. The story centers on Tarek, the principled doctor treating Yehia, who faces a moral dilemma: adhere to protocol or defy the law to save Yehia’s life. With dark humor, the narrative explores the sinister nature of authoritarianism, highlighting how absolute power manipulates information and undermines the rights of its citizens, even those who remain loyal.