A review by aprilyang1
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I’ve sat with my emotions and thoughts about this book for a while and I’ve written and deleted a million words, but I still can’t seem to come up with anything that truly represents what this book has done. Katouh’s word choice, her description, her absolute creative ability to make us feel as if we were there with Salama throughout the entire story is absolutely incredible. Yes, this is historical fiction, but this is closer to reality for many people. Real people who have dreams and goals and desires.

I don’t know what else to say or how to say it, so I’ll just leave you with Katouh’s words, “Syrians have rarely been able to tell their stories. What the world knows are the cold, hard facts reported by the media and relayed in books. The focus is on the political parties at play, reducing Syrians—the casualties, the victims, the orphans, the displaced—to numbers. This novel delves into the human emotion behind the conflict, because we are not numbers. For years Syrians have been tortured, murdered, and banished from their country at the hands of a tyrannical regime, and we owe it to them to know their stories. I wanted this story to exist free from the confinements of stereotypes.” She continues, “But, despite the atrocities, my characters have to face I hope you see them as more than their trauma. They represent every Syrian out there with hopes and dreams, and a life to live. We are owed that life. This book was very difficult to write, but I tried to leave one message through every page, every line, and every letter. That message is hope. And I hope you, carry it your heart.”
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