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

This book set in war ravaged Syria grapples with the love for a country that doesn’t return it and finding that first love. While both Salama and Kenan have a deep love for their homeland, Kenan takes longer to convince to leave. Being young and feeling like he’s showing the world the atrocities in Syria are components to why it took awhile to convince him to leave. His argument of not leaving the place where his parents were buried while sensible shows stubbornness more than anything.

Finding the first love part of plot at times fell victim to the ages of the protagonists. The way Kenan is introduced as the love interest is one aspect that fits that mold. A related component is how quickly Salama starts to fall for Kenan.

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saycheeze37's review

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I thought the author did a fantastic job bringing light to the fight for freedom in Syria. Very tragic truths with a strong sense of hope.

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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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skye_era_books's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

I don’t know that I have ever read a book more heart wrenching than this. My heart broke and put itself together again many times throughout this story. And the fact that this is the reality of many Syrians absolutely kills me. I beg that we someday see a Free Syria, Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, and all those who are fighting for freedom.

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lesmotsdelivrants's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Ce livre m'a détruit.e et reconstruite en même temps. Je n'avais jamais lu de livre de ce type, qui raconte l'histoire de la Syrie et de la révolution, ce que les Syrien.ne.s vivent. Ça m'a bouleversé.e, c'est un livre à mettre entre toutes les mains parce qu'il fait prendre cknscience de ce qu'il se passe dans d'autres parties du monde et de ce que d'autres peuples endurent.
La plume de Zoulfa Katouh est d'une douceur et d'une justesse parfaites, elle est touchante et marquante.
L'histoire entre Kenan et Salama se tisse lentement mais sûrement, c'est la premiere romance halal que je lis et je l'ai trouvée tres émouvante.
Tous les événements font l'effet d'un choc, le livre est empreint d'une tension qui ne noud lâche jamais vraiment et qui nous tient plongés dans l'histoire.
J'ai adoré re-découvrir les couleurs avec Salama et Layla, pleurer et rire avec elles et m'imprégner de leur histoire <3
La personnification de l'esprit et de la peur de Salama donnait aussi une dimension supplémentaire à l'histoire, olus de relief, plus de teintes, plus d'émotions, plus de tout.
Le focus particulier sur la dimension humaine du conflit, sur les familles, les martyrs, les blessures, la peur, tout ça projetait aussi l'histoire dans une autre dimension

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