Reviews with content warning for Child death - As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Pro tip: have a box of tissues ready because I BAWLED MY EYES OUT reading this book for the people of Syria, whose story was humanized for me through this book (as I was unaware of the true extent of what is happening in the country). I cried knowing that there are similar things taking place right now in so many other parts of the world, some of which are better known than others.
Palestine.
Congo.
Haiti.
Tigray.
Sudan.
Those are just a few of the ones I know of off the top of my head.
I felt guilty for knowing that all I can do is read, uplift their voices and donate.
But also, I felt hope in reading this story. Hope is something that I never want to lose sight of, and dreaming of a better tomorrow and fighting for it is what all oppressed people deserve. Free all those that are victims of Western greed, exploitation and colonialism. This is a novel about the fight for liberation and its uglier sides, but most of all it encourages me to continue to resist and fight for what is right.
5/5 stars, absolutely no notes. (Actually, PLEASE check trigger warnings before you read this book. It's a heavy read, but one that should be read in my opinion.)

Content Warnings

adearajean's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is good but very sad. It was repetitive and a little too devastating.

I understand why the book was so dark but at a certain point it made it hard to continue reading. Even in the end when they are about to get out, there's more tragedy. I felt like the boat sinking was unnecessary and I wish the author had more memories or scenes that weren't set at the hospital. There's a lot of this child or victim is dying a horrible death. We don't need to see that same scene multiple times.

Content Warnings

dafni's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

“Everywhere. Since the beginning of time, I have awoken in people's hearts. I've been given many names in countless languages. In yours, I'm Khawf. In English, Fear. In German, Angst. Humans have listened to my whispers, heeded my counsel, and tasted my power. I'm everywhere.”

I am in awe of the strength it took to write this book, delve into these stories and revisit Syria’s oppressive political regime (alongside the consequences on innocent people). This book was an emotional rollercoaster - it will make you smile and cry; it will make you feel angry, hopeless, afraid, nauseous; it will make you admire people’s resilience and hope; and I truly hope it will make you understand that nobody wants to be a refugee. Nobody wants to leave their country, their home, their community. Nobody wants to be uprooted and separated from their loved ones in foreign and unfamiliar countries, where difference is not welcome or celebrated.

As Warsan Shire wrote in her poem “Home”:

you have to understand,
that no one puts their children in a boat
unless the water is safer than the land

Through Salama’s storytelling we experience (from afar) the horrific things people go through EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. In Palestine. In Congo. In Sudan. In Syria. In Yemen. In so many other places that have been through civil war in the past. But Zoulfa’s writing reminds us that love, romance and colours during war exist; humanity exists through simple acts, caregiving and sharing with one another, even in the most inhumane circumstances. Zoulfa achieved to see her protagonists with their love and family stories, passions, values, beliefs. People are not numbers, and I hope this book will continue to educate and inspire.

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