The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: A Jewish Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World (P.S.),   ISBN:9780060822187

Customer Rating: 

I just read the book. The first part which took place in Egypt is brilliant. It is true that Egypt was a totally different country. It is true that the Jews were a major part of Egypt and that it was a loss to have them leave. I personally would have loved to see Egypt back in those days." Cairo the most cosmopolitan city in the world", who could imagine this now knowing how it is in decline unfortunately. I would like to thank Loulou for her book. Though I have a comment and I need to correct one thing: Egypt at the time of the British colonialism was not like other Arab colonies; We were not banned from going to places like Groppi's as the book said. This is not true. I have asked people who lived at that time. Jews were not colonialists in order to allow them to sit in Groppi's while prohibiting Egyptians. This is due to the fact that there were a lot of Egyptian elite who mingled with the royal family and the British...etc. At the time Loulou was a child, Groppi's was a popular place for Egyptians for sure. My own mother has memories of Groppi's and she is even older than Loulou. I hope I have made my point c

Customer Rating: 

This masterpiece was highly recommended to me and having just finished it, I believe it is one of the finest memoirs that I have ever read. It is quite possible that I have received it at the right age and time in my life. Be as it may, I found it so powerful at times that it was necessary to place the book down in order to catch my breath. At one point, I called a friend and said: "I am reading the most extraordinary story". Not only is it extremely rich in substance and beautifully crafted, but it is also a treasure trove of scenarios and descriptions which begin against a sumptuous tapestry of Cairo shortly after WWII. Perhaps "Palace of Desire" and other works by Naguib Mahfouz which I read a decade ago, prepared me for an understanding of the fascinating cultural, historical and sociological background of Egypt in the 20th Century and enabled me to better follow Ms. Lagnado in her footsteps as she invites the reader to come along with her. One does not have to be an intellectual nor an erudite in order to digest what she has to say. And, let us not forget the wonderful photographs the author shares with us. Alas, we are missing one of Pouspous.

Ms. Lagnado introduces us at the beginning of her autobiographical work to a serendipitous and dreamlike vision of Cairo in the 1950's where she brilliantly spins an intricate, delicate and complex psychological web of individuals, who will one day become her parents, relatives and friends. Every person she portrays has something unique, original and of interest to bring to the table. Lucette Lagnado, nicknamed Loulou, is the last child to be born to her parents and, deeply cherished, she takes shelter at an early age under her father's wing. Political events in Egypt will soon unravel her large family's life as well as many of their friends - and ominous and dangerous developments will force them to make radical changes and decisions which are irrevocable when they find themselves facing circumstances beyond their control.

There is not a single maudlin note nor hackneyed sentence in the author's story. She writes with great heart and tremendous courage. Her tone is finely honed, measured and highly perceptive holding one's attention throughout her story. Her narration remains fluid and graceful, and she is able to link nature and the healing power of its bounty in a beautiful way. She is extremely gifted at portraying her life in both a subjective and objective way which is a feat in itself, and every human emotion is exquisitely expressed. There is humor at times throughout the narrative which she is capable of instilling both during happy or bleaker times, and I was amused and delighted on a few occasions. For example, the episode of how her paternal grandmother finds remedies to cure her ailing cousin; how her father cleverly gives her and her cat at his knee language lessons with the help of cheese; a mind-boggling description later on when she is older of how she and her mother religiously prepare staple American rice; traditional family candlelight expeditions at night which she compares to a detective novel - these are a few smiles among others. Again, Ms. Lagnado dwells on all human emotions, and as she becomes an adolescent and an adult, not only does she experience her own crippling hardships and fears, but later on she is a helpless witness to a beloved and elderly generation which is slipping away beyond her control. I had to grit my teeth in order to address the plight of her parents left with other neglected patients in what she describes as the gleaming palaces of pain. It hit a raw nerve. There are so many other topics that Ms. Lagnado addresses as well - I can relate well to some of these now since she and I are contemporaries and grew up during the same generation in Paris and New York. To sum it up, the author shows enormous strength of character and is able to confront the past in all its varied aspects in order to move onwards. When the time is right for her, Ms. Lagnado goes on a pilgrimage and takes along with her the ones she loves. As I accompanied her with trepidation as a reader on her journey to revisit her home, I felt a great tinge of sadness, unease and melancholy. Perhaps this is a matter of closure, and it left me feeling extremely moved. It is a treasured book that I am looking forward to reading again at a later time while continuing to focus on the many issues that Ms Lagnado has reminded me of. On a light note, I also plan to eat black olives and apricots in her honor and in memory of her family. In the meantime, my warmest appreciation to Ms. Lagnado for drawing my attention again to what is essential in life. She is a remarkable and inspiring individual.

Customer Rating: 

Fascinating, beautifully writtten, heartfelt family saga that takes the reader from memorable days in old Cairo to the great change which fell over the country. The exit was painful for this Jewish family who never recovered back to the parents old ways and customs. The off spring moved on and outward to the "new world" yet the older folks never made the mental move. Great read--so well written and you felt their hearts break in the move and the adjustment all the way to New York. The daughter did a lovely job of taking you along with them thru so many pleasures and traumas. She told so honestly the relationship between herself and her Father. Tender to the very end and filled with marvelous feelings. Lucette Lagnado must be a very special person, as well as, a prize-winning writer!

Customer Rating: 

What a wonderful read! From the first word to the last, this is a gripping saga of a lost way of life, impossible for most of us to imagine except through the words of the author.

Customer Rating: 

This is a very readable memoir. Clearly, Lucette holds great affection for her father, who had his faults as well as his magnificence. I think the beginning chapters could have benefited from better editing, however. I'm glad I read it.