• The Queue

• Author: Basma Abdel Aziz
• ISBN-13: 9781612195179
• Language: English

"The Queue" is a dystopian novel by Basma Abdel Aziz, set in a fictionalized Egypt after a failed uprising. Citizens must stand in a lengthy, Kafkaesque queue to obtain permission from the Gate, an all-powerful institution, for even the simplest of procedures, like medical treatment. The novel explores themes of bureaucratic oppression, disillusionment, and the human cost of authoritarianism. It follows the story of those trapped in the seemingly endless wait, highlighting their struggles and desperate attempts to navigate a system designed to control and dehumanize them. The narrative delves into the psychological impact of living under constant surveillance and the erosion of individual freedoms. "The Queue" is a powerful commentary on political power, resistance, and the enduring hope for change in the face of overwhelming adversity.