Description
Book SynopsisMeet Hatem el-Shenawi, a Muslim TV preacher who has won fame and fortune through his show delivering Islam to the masses. Affable, sharp-witted, and well-connected to the government and business elite of Cairo, Shenawi seems at the top of his game. But when he is entrusted with a dangerous secret, one that could tip the whole country into chaos, the double-edged sword of his celebrity threatens him with scandal and ruin as he is drawn deeper into political intrigue and the dark underbelly of the state. Fast-paced and brilliantly observed, The Televangelist takes us on a journey into the corrupt nexus of power, money, media, and religious performance that has dominated Egypt in recent years.
Trade Review"A powerful commentary on Islam in modern Egypt with deep insight for Westerners."--Washington Independent
"a master of the Arabic language... [Eissa] delivers a double dose of wit, humor and political satire, combined with painstaking knowledge of religion and the media world... Fascinating"--Egypt Independent
"We're in the presence of masterful storytelling... [Eissa] tells the story of Egypt, its society and state, culture and superstition, virtues and sins, love and intolerance. . . with skilful plotting, surgical social and psychological analysis."--Saad El Din Ibrahim, El Watan
"the novel of the season. . . a compelling testimony about this era"--The Egyptian Daily
"Fast-paced and brilliantly observed."--BookShy Blog
"Compelling."--Marcia Lynx Qualey, The National
"[Essa] combines psychology, sociology, cultural critique, and politics to create a fascinating plot and a number of complex characters, as well as shedding light on Muslim-Coptic relations, the persecution of Sufis and the disastrous consequences of manipulating religion for political purposes. He also drops more than a few hints as to why the democratic gains of the 2010-11 popular uprising in Egypt could be so soon reversed. All in all, the novel is a brave exposure of terrorism, whether promoted by state power or extremist groups."--Sally Bland, Jordan Times
"Thought-provoking."Banipal
""The Televangelist" is an effective critique of the shortcomings of the Egyptian State. Its strength lies in its humour, honesty and depth. It is definitely worth the time devoted to its reading.?--Wawa Book Review
