The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit
The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Brief
The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2007368
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Cairo, Egypt • 1950s
2007
Adult
18+ years
1170L
Super Short Summary
Published in 2007, The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado is a memoir recounting the forced exodus of the Jewish Lagnado family from Cairo to New York due to political upheaval in Egypt from the 1940s to the 1970s. The book outlines their life of comfort in Cairo, their struggles in the new world, and Lucette’s relationship with her father, Leon. The narrative includes themes of illness, family dynamics, cultural displacement, and the complexities of adaptation to a new life.
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
6,018 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lucette Lagnado’s memoir, The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, poignantly narrates her family's exodus from Egypt to America, capturing cultural displacement and familial bonds. Reviewers praise its rich historical detail and emotional depth. However, some mention a slow pace and dense narrative. Overall, it’s lauded for its vivid storytelling and heartfelt exploration of loss and identity.
Who Should Read The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit?
A reader who relishes rich, multi-generational family sagas and cultural history will adore Lucette Lagnado's The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit. Similar to readers of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, they will appreciate its poignant exploration of displacement, identity, and the immigrant experience.
6,018 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Cairo, Egypt • 1950s
2007
Adult
18+ years
1170L
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