The Trees Are Walking in Alexandria

A deeply compassionate portrait of a cosmopolitan group of friends—a glimpse of the volatility of life under totalitarian rule, from Egypt's most celebrated contemporary novelist.

It is 1964 in Alexandria. Nasser has risen to power and, faced with the upheaval of his regime, many Alexandrians fled Egypt. But this particular group of locals and European expats have instead chosen to stay. They gather nightly in the bar upstairs at the elegant waterfront restaurant Artinos, where the drinks flow freely, to argue about art and truth, love and justice.

There is Lyda Artinos, who inherited the restaurant from her father; Carlo, the charismatic Italian bartender; Anas, a painter; Tony, a factory owner; Abbas, a liberal lawyer; Noha, his wife; and Chantal, the beautiful and well-connected owner of Alexandria's most popular French bookshop. As the political situation grows more heated, their optimism for the future—and their integrity—will be put to the test, and their debates about the issues of the day start to carry terrifying weight.

With the breathtaking range and insight he is known for, Al Aswany gives us the human story beneath the historical narrative: what it feels like to get caught up in the end of an era.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs