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kareseburrows 's review for:
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
by Zoulfa Katouh
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The first thing I want to mention is how much I love Katouh's writing. There's so much imagery present; her storytelling is truly unique and compelling, pulling you in as you read. It's plain to see that Katouh's heart is embedded in every page and every line. One of my recurring thoughts as I was reading was how captivating her writing and storytelling was. She really and truly paints you a picture with every chapter.
One of the main themes of this story is hope. It's a beautiful thing, but it can also be so painful and difficult to hold on to, especially when everything around you is falling to ruins. Katouh's depiction of the war in Syria, and the physical, mental and emotional toll it takes on the characters in the book is heart wrenching. Through her writing she opens you up to a story that makes you feel deeply. You feel for the characters. You feel for the country.
So many people wonder about the very real experience of refugees and question how someone can pickup and leave their home like that, especially when there's no guarantee of life wherever they're going. This makes me think of the poem "Home" written by Warsan Shire. Salama and Kenan are two characters cut from the same cloth, in that their pride and deep love of their country makes them feel bound to stay, but then they realize they are the embodiments of their country, and Syria will always live within them, no matter where they go. They leave not because they don't love their country anymore, but because of their right for survival.
Hope is woven throughout this book, and the very real truth that is an important aspect of being human, despite how fleeting it may seem in the midst of war, abuse, trauma, loss and death. I think a great trait of any book is one that tells a story through a lens that makes you want to keep reading. I've never known the tragedy of war, or the terrible experience of having to leave your home country because your life is in danger, but it was a wonderful experience reading this book, despite the dark themes. Katouh did not shy away from the very real and very straightforward descriptions of what the traumas of war and loss. It created such vivid and tangible characters. Such powerfully storytelling; it's now a favorite. I'm excited to see what other stories she writes.
One of the main themes of this story is hope. It's a beautiful thing, but it can also be so painful and difficult to hold on to, especially when everything around you is falling to ruins. Katouh's depiction of the war in Syria, and the physical, mental and emotional toll it takes on the characters in the book is heart wrenching. Through her writing she opens you up to a story that makes you feel deeply. You feel for the characters. You feel for the country.
So many people wonder about the very real experience of refugees and question how someone can pickup and leave their home like that, especially when there's no guarantee of life wherever they're going. This makes me think of the poem "Home" written by Warsan Shire. Salama and Kenan are two characters cut from the same cloth, in that their pride and deep love of their country makes them feel bound to stay, but then they realize they are the embodiments of their country, and Syria will always live within them, no matter where they go. They leave not because they don't love their country anymore, but because of their right for survival.
Hope is woven throughout this book, and the very real truth that is an important aspect of being human, despite how fleeting it may seem in the midst of war, abuse, trauma, loss and death. I think a great trait of any book is one that tells a story through a lens that makes you want to keep reading. I've never known the tragedy of war, or the terrible experience of having to leave your home country because your life is in danger, but it was a wonderful experience reading this book, despite the dark themes. Katouh did not shy away from the very real and very straightforward descriptions of what the traumas of war and loss. It created such vivid and tangible characters. Such powerfully storytelling; it's now a favorite. I'm excited to see what other stories she writes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit