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A review by xcinnamonsugar
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
The dark horrors and moral calculations of life in a conflict-stricken Syria are woven together with the giddy romance characteristic of a YA novel.
One recurring sentiment that I found particularly striking was the characters’ chronic sense of guilt and sadness at the thought of leaving their homeland, Syria, in hopes for a better life abroad. I’ve realized that possessing such a strong sense of cultural rootedness is hardly observed in societies built around the cornerstone of capitalism.
I’m faaar from being a fan of YA/romance content, but the author did a fantastic job blending the genre’s tropey elements into (what she described as) a “halal love story”.
One recurring sentiment that I found particularly striking was the characters’ chronic sense of guilt and sadness at the thought of leaving their homeland, Syria, in hopes for a better life abroad. I’ve realized that possessing such a strong sense of cultural rootedness is hardly observed in societies built around the cornerstone of capitalism.
I’m faaar from being a fan of YA/romance content, but the author did a fantastic job blending the genre’s tropey elements into (what she described as) a “halal love story”.