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A review by bibliorey
As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
5.0
[A somewhat elaborate review written on November 1st '23]
I started this book a little before the mentioned date on my Goodreads except then I did not update it as my "currently reading" here as I was coped up with my studies as I usually am for I am such a dedicated human that I would sacrifice my life for all the knowledge that I can get. But I did spare some time to gradually read this as much as I can during my breaks or the weekends or even days where I am blessed with no work in sight and now here we are.
The beginning (or I guess to be precise: the continuation of years long of "conflict") of Isr*eli's undeniable genocide of the Palestinians, I was about halfway into the book. Suddenly, this normal life we have lived on a daily seems even more dystopian than ever. The things I am reading in this book,—although this was set in Syria during the revolution and from what I know, Syria was recently attacked by the Isr*eli forces too in midst of the war—it is happening right now, in real time, in real life, in front of the world's eyes and some of them (the neutrals and the pro-zionists/pro-Isr*el) are just watching this genocide happening like it's a sports game. Some cheering and some mocking of these people's sufferings. Suffering that they have endured for years and years and now intensifying with countries like US and UK as well as the EU supporting the oppressors instead of making a change and helping stop this pain of the oppressed.
I have tried so hard to find words that will describe this book well for its amazingly written plot but I continue to find myself relating Salama and Kenan's experience to the experiences that the people in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Congo are experiencing right now. I find it hard to separate the art in my hands from the reality for the first time ever because everything that was written in here is happening right now in real time. Men, women, children, the elderly... HUMANS... are affected by this heinous war crimes done by Isr*el with supports of influential first world countries.
Zoulfa Katouh, you are a powerful wielder of words.
The way that she wrote of the devastating environment of war and the unsettling reality of people being affected by it were absolutely raw and heartbreaking; injuries, death, and so much more unimaginable things were explained in details that us privileged ones who are lucky enough to live in a safe country could barely begin imagine. Things our ancestors before us had to overcome, only with the advancement in today's technologies, wars are even more brutal; the use of nuclear and chemical weapons. For the first time in my life I learned what Sarin was. Just as I was reading of it, in my reality, I saw news of Isr*el releasing white phosphorus bombs upon cities after cities in Palestine and I can barely even begin to imagine what that would do to those exposed. The burning of it goes deep to the bone. BONE. THE BURNING STOPS AT THE BONE! How cruel can you be upon your own kind? Your own species? Humanity seems to be really dead just hearing of this. News upon news upon news I consume daily to keep myself updated, educated, of what is happening in Palestine and in the world right now. Then again, it has all been written upon the Quran of their kind and their fate. Allah knows best and Allah knows all.
I think Allah moved our hearts—my best friends and I—to pick this book up in a time where not only it will open our eyes further into the reality that we live in, that others live in, but also to remind us to reflect on ourselves, our deeds; count our blessings. I have never felt more blessed and grateful now, today and tomorrow for the safety that He has bestowed upon my family and I and all the people around me. Something that martyrs of war did not have but oh how blessed they are to be able to have Jannah. Their iman exceeds those of ours indeed for they were not afraid to defend their home, their land, their rights, even if it ends in their death. MasyaAllah to be able to have such strength is something that I will forever wish to gain one day—if it comes to it.
Out of all the historical fiction books I have read in my life by far, none truly described the effects of trauma that was brought upon by the violence of war unlike Zoulfa Katouh's As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow. The kids were forced to grow older than their age being in such settings and their survival instincts are like no other. My heart ached when Kenan's little brother, Yusuf, were bright-eyed when Salama mentioned of his little interest in Spider-Man but immediately goes all cold again. As if remembering that this is not the time to enjoy such trivial things which was so heartbreaking to read indeed. They're kids. They were robbed of a childhood that many others get to enjoy and experience and yet they do not due to heartless wars that swallowed not only land but life itself. Salama's manifestations of Khawf as means for her and Layla to survive was so heartbreaking to think of. To hallucinate to keep yourself alive. To even type it right now feels surreal but it is. It is truly astonishing what our bodies can do in order to survive. His creation are truly beautiful indeed and i'm glad that just like Salama and Zoulfa herself, I could continue to learn of His complex creation that is human beings themselves and perhaps one day save lives, insyaAllah.
What a book. What a journey. The tears that flowed were of pure sorrow of imagination that runs wild on fiction and also the constant realisation that it is happening before my eyes everyday now. They are losing hope, but I do hope that one day my message of hope reaches them. Our message of hope. I may have lost my faith in humanity, but I forever have faith in Him and His plans.
Dr. Ziad, I hope you are well and that you are continuing your never ending passion in treating all the patients with such care as if they were your own. Perhaps I missed a part towards the end of what actually happened to you because I was a sobbing mess, but I hope you continue to live your life til your old days and that you were happy. Even for just a little bit. I will remember your message of hope to Salama and I will continue living and doing my part in helping my brothers and sisters in need as best as I can. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for caring for Salama. You have not only meant a lot to her, but to us readers too, to me.
Thank you for sharing with the world a piece of your brilliant mind and your homeland history with us, Zoulfa.
We will never forget.
-
[A review written just minutes post finishing the book on October 30th '23]
I am still grappling to find the words to elaborate to you how I feel about the book. Perhaps I will come back soon once I can find the words I've been searching for. But what a reflective and heartbreaking book filled with messages of hope. Something that the world needs now. Especially Palestinian kids, Syrian kids, and all the kids and civilians in the Middle East affected by the Isr*eli occupation and the ruthless support from countries such as US for this... sick and twisted regime.
I started this book a little before the mentioned date on my Goodreads except then I did not update it as my "currently reading" here as I was coped up with my studies as I usually am for I am such a dedicated human that I would sacrifice my life for all the knowledge that I can get. But I did spare some time to gradually read this as much as I can during my breaks or the weekends or even days where I am blessed with no work in sight and now here we are.
The beginning (or I guess to be precise: the continuation of years long of "conflict") of Isr*eli's undeniable genocide of the Palestinians, I was about halfway into the book. Suddenly, this normal life we have lived on a daily seems even more dystopian than ever. The things I am reading in this book,—although this was set in Syria during the revolution and from what I know, Syria was recently attacked by the Isr*eli forces too in midst of the war—it is happening right now, in real time, in real life, in front of the world's eyes and some of them (the neutrals and the pro-zionists/pro-Isr*el) are just watching this genocide happening like it's a sports game. Some cheering and some mocking of these people's sufferings. Suffering that they have endured for years and years and now intensifying with countries like US and UK as well as the EU supporting the oppressors instead of making a change and helping stop this pain of the oppressed.
I have tried so hard to find words that will describe this book well for its amazingly written plot but I continue to find myself relating Salama and Kenan's experience to the experiences that the people in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Congo are experiencing right now. I find it hard to separate the art in my hands from the reality for the first time ever because everything that was written in here is happening right now in real time. Men, women, children, the elderly... HUMANS... are affected by this heinous war crimes done by Isr*el with supports of influential first world countries.
Zoulfa Katouh, you are a powerful wielder of words.
The way that she wrote of the devastating environment of war and the unsettling reality of people being affected by it were absolutely raw and heartbreaking; injuries, death, and so much more unimaginable things were explained in details that us privileged ones who are lucky enough to live in a safe country could barely begin imagine. Things our ancestors before us had to overcome, only with the advancement in today's technologies, wars are even more brutal; the use of nuclear and chemical weapons. For the first time in my life I learned what Sarin was. Just as I was reading of it, in my reality, I saw news of Isr*el releasing white phosphorus bombs upon cities after cities in Palestine and I can barely even begin to imagine what that would do to those exposed. The burning of it goes deep to the bone. BONE. THE BURNING STOPS AT THE BONE! How cruel can you be upon your own kind? Your own species? Humanity seems to be really dead just hearing of this. News upon news upon news I consume daily to keep myself updated, educated, of what is happening in Palestine and in the world right now. Then again, it has all been written upon the Quran of their kind and their fate. Allah knows best and Allah knows all.
I think Allah moved our hearts—my best friends and I—to pick this book up in a time where not only it will open our eyes further into the reality that we live in, that others live in, but also to remind us to reflect on ourselves, our deeds; count our blessings. I have never felt more blessed and grateful now, today and tomorrow for the safety that He has bestowed upon my family and I and all the people around me. Something that martyrs of war did not have but oh how blessed they are to be able to have Jannah. Their iman exceeds those of ours indeed for they were not afraid to defend their home, their land, their rights, even if it ends in their death. MasyaAllah to be able to have such strength is something that I will forever wish to gain one day—if it comes to it.
Out of all the historical fiction books I have read in my life by far, none truly described the effects of trauma that was brought upon by the violence of war unlike Zoulfa Katouh's As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow. The kids were forced to grow older than their age being in such settings and their survival instincts are like no other. My heart ached when Kenan's little brother, Yusuf, were bright-eyed when Salama mentioned of his little interest in Spider-Man but immediately goes all cold again. As if remembering that this is not the time to enjoy such trivial things which was so heartbreaking to read indeed. They're kids. They were robbed of a childhood that many others get to enjoy and experience and yet they do not due to heartless wars that swallowed not only land but life itself. Salama's manifestations of Khawf as means for her and Layla to survive was so heartbreaking to think of. To hallucinate to keep yourself alive. To even type it right now feels surreal but it is. It is truly astonishing what our bodies can do in order to survive. His creation are truly beautiful indeed and i'm glad that just like Salama and Zoulfa herself, I could continue to learn of His complex creation that is human beings themselves and perhaps one day save lives, insyaAllah.
What a book. What a journey. The tears that flowed were of pure sorrow of imagination that runs wild on fiction and also the constant realisation that it is happening before my eyes everyday now. They are losing hope, but I do hope that one day my message of hope reaches them. Our message of hope. I may have lost my faith in humanity, but I forever have faith in Him and His plans.
Dr. Ziad, I hope you are well and that you are continuing your never ending passion in treating all the patients with such care as if they were your own. Perhaps I missed a part towards the end of what actually happened to you because I was a sobbing mess, but I hope you continue to live your life til your old days and that you were happy. Even for just a little bit. I will remember your message of hope to Salama and I will continue living and doing my part in helping my brothers and sisters in need as best as I can. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for caring for Salama. You have not only meant a lot to her, but to us readers too, to me.
Thank you for sharing with the world a piece of your brilliant mind and your homeland history with us, Zoulfa.
We will never forget.
-
[A review written just minutes post finishing the book on October 30th '23]
I am still grappling to find the words to elaborate to you how I feel about the book. Perhaps I will come back soon once I can find the words I've been searching for. But what a reflective and heartbreaking book filled with messages of hope. Something that the world needs now. Especially Palestinian kids, Syrian kids, and all the kids and civilians in the Middle East affected by the Isr*eli occupation and the ruthless support from countries such as US for this... sick and twisted regime.