Leseprobe
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The Capital of the Superficial
Julia Firley
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Belletristik / Essays, Feuilleton, Literaturkritik, Interviews
Beschreibung
Nothing is as it seems. Illusion is their means, and façade is their power. Colorful stories of colorful people from all corners of the world.
Humans are, first and foremost, storytellers, and expatriates tend to be the best at it. The individuals in this book have inspiring experiences, complex personalities, real struggles, amazing resilience, and, in many cases, a remarkable grasp of reality. There is the German who came to the Middle East to hide from her past; the French wife whose husband left her for a younger woman and took all the money, but who managed to turn it all around and emerge stronger and happier than ever; the Slovak who traded herself for big promises that proved to be lies; the Filipina who wanted to kill herself after her nude pictures were posted online; the European man who has several wives; and the Pole who made a home in Arabia. Then, there are the locals who fight against corruption, and the renowned intellectuals who resigned themselves to servitude and duplicity.
Alongside these true stories, the book provides facts and analysis that enhance our awareness, because what happened in this oil-rich Middle Eastern state has been happening worldwide.
This is the story of how a small, impoverished country was transformed almost overnight into a rich, powerful welfare state controlled by a few shrewd families. We witness what happened to the people who suddenly found themselves wealthy and observe how foreigners flocked from all corners of the world, either to work hard or to exploit others. We see how some benefited from the diverse and tolerant society, while a parallel system was created to serve the few at the expense of the many. We explore how people were brainwashed into accepting a thinly veiled caste system and a Big Brother regime. We learn how this small country amassed power and influence over superpowers, and how some politicians used their wealth and realpolitik to interfere in other countries. The façade became their strength, and lies superseded truth. Ultimately, we see how humans are fundamentally similar, despite their different ethnicities, cultures, languages, and religions. It shows how hope triumphs over obstacles.
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true life stories relationships Happiness romance and sex