Alaa Al Aswany has published 2 novels and 1 short story collection, beginning with The Yacoubian Building (2002). The latest is Friendly Fire (2009).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Alaa Al Aswany
Start here
The Yacoubian Building
Alaa Al Aswany's most-read book.
Newest
Friendly Fire
Published 2009.
Standalone novels in order
The Yacoubian Building (2002)
Chicago (2007)
Short story collections in order
Friendly Fire (2009)
Film and TV adaptations
- The Yacoubian Building (2006)Film · from The Yacoubian Building
About Alaa Al Aswany
Alaa Al Aswany is an Egyptian writer, novelist, dentist and a founding member of the political movement Kefaya. He is based in Paris and New York, where he lives and teaches creative writing.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Alaa Al Aswany FAQ
- How many books has Alaa Al Aswany written?
- Alaa Al Aswany has published 2 novels and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Alaa Al Aswany's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Yacoubian Building.
- What is Alaa Al Aswany's latest book?
- Friendly Fire (2009).
- What is Alaa Al Aswany's most famous book?
- The Yacoubian Building (2002) is Alaa Al Aswany's most widely read book.
- Which Alaa Al Aswany books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Yacoubian Building (film, 2006).
Authors like Alaa Al Aswany
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.