As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow

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But it’s not that anymore. Layla’s home has lost its spark, the colors completely faded, leaving a sunken gray shade in their wake. It’s a husk of a home. A Canadian national with Syrian parents, Katouh split her childhood between Dubai and Switzerland, where she found that she was on the receiving end of a lot of questions about Syria and the war. She felt duty-bound to serve her fellow Syrians, even if it was from a distance. Wrenching and lyrical, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow heralds a stunning new voice in young adult literature. This heartbreakingly beautiful novel challenges the reader to open their hearts and minds to the ongoing revolution in Syria against a ruthless dictator--one who has taken too many lives and forced nearly 13 million Syrians to flee their homeland. Zoulfa Katouh reminds us of the awesome power of love, hope, and tenacity even in the most desperate circumstances. A gorgeous, compelling read that you will not be able to put down." - Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Internment

Jika berbicara mengenai konflik bersenjata di Suriah, dunia kerap kali menggambarkannya sebagai perang saudara. Penjelasan dari Wikipedia atau dalam berbagai pemberitaan media nasional dan internasional jadi buktinya. Penyebab meletusnya konflik bersenjata ini pun seringkali direduksi menjadi perseteruan Sunni-Syiah. Media Merdeka misalnya jadi salah satu media Indonesia yang memberitakan penyebab konflik di Suriah berawal dari propaganda isu sektarian antara Sunni dan Syiah. A searing story of war, loss, family and love, of seeking grace in madness and hope in tragedy, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a phenomenal tale, a piercing keen for the Syria that was and the Syria that is. An absolute must read." - Sabaa Tahir, #1 NYT bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes Meski dunia memiliki akses untuk melihat gambaran-gambaran ini, dunia tak akan pernah bisa memahami situasi konflik Suriah secara sempurna seperti layaknya warga Suriah sendiri. Di sinilah peran Koutuh, penulis berdarah Suriah sangat dibutuhkan. I shake my head, trying to dissolve his voice, and take a deep breath. “Layla, I’m the only pharmacist left in three neighborhoods. If I leave, who will help them? The crying children. The sniper victims. The wounded men.”Pengreduksian konflik di Suriah ini ternyata menjadi kekhawatiran Koutuh. Melalui novel debutnya, Katouh berusaha memperlihatkan bagaimana situasi Suriah sejak 2011 bukanlah situasi yang disebabkan oleh propaganda atau perseteruan Sunni dan Syiah. Katouh bahkan menegaskan apa yang dialami Suriah sekarang bukanlah perang, melainkan revolusi. A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, burning with the fires of hope, love, and possibility. Perfect for fans of The Book Thief and Salt to the Sea.

the syrian civil war has been ongoing for the past 11 years, with nearly 7 million syrians forced to leave their home and country during that time. It makes the book so much stronger in its impact, but also gives it peace in the losses (you'll know what I'm talking about when you read) Katouh felt like those outside had become immune and fatigued by the events unfolding in Syria and the human impact it was having on people.Even though the memories ache, it’s the only way we get to see our loved ones—replaying their words to us, letting our imaginations magnify or soften their voices however we please.” This is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won't stop us. I have God, he'll protect me. I've been force fed oppression but I will no longer swallow its bitter taste." Since it was published last year, I’ve heard As Long as the Lemon Trees Grows described numerous times as powerful and sad, both very true. This is a story of war and tragedy but also has elements of love and hope. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Rasha Zamamiri. She did a really good job, the characters’ emotions were evident throughout the story. In the book Ghibli is a recurring theme and its influences show beautifully through Zoulfa's writing (romanticizing the small things etc)

Salama is worried that every day could be her last, yet she is reluctant to leave Syria, even knowing it would be better for herself and Layla to leave. What do you believe is keeping her there? Setiap hari Salama membantu para korban luka yang membanjiri pintu-pintu rumah sakit. Rutinitas ini membuat Salama terlihat bak mayat hidup yang tak punya sisa binar kehidupan. Keadaannya pun semakin parah karena ia terus dihantui oleh Khwaf. Sebuah eksistensi yang hanya bisa ia lihat dan secara terus menerus memperlihatkan gambaran-gambaran mengerikan tentang masa depannya jika ia tidak meninggalkan Suriah.

Katouh menampilkannya melalui kegigihan Salama dan kegigihan para dokter relawan yang enggan keluar dari Suriah demi menyelamatkan nyawa saudara sebangsa mereka yang dibantai habis-habisan oleh militer Assad. Tak lupa, Katouh juga menampilkannya melalui keberanian Kenan yang bertaruh nyawa mengabadikan momen-momen kebrutalan militer Assad untuk diunggah ke media sosial. reading this simply wasn’t enough i need the entire book permanently engraved in my brain. this was single-handedly down the finest piece of literature i’ve ever consumed it needs to be studied in schools it should be hung in the louvre scientists should be analyzing it as we speak… why are we as a society not screaming about this from the rooftops??? i’m so glad kenan and salama found each other. they’ve been through so so so much and they deserve all the happiness in the world and i’m so glad they’re finally getting that 🥹❤️‍🩹 i know this book isn’t really about the romance but their love story is everything i love them so much. I love these characters. They’ve all touched me in so many ways. Each one of them will give you something to walk away with. Salama taught me how to live with my fear, Kenan taught me how to fight for what I believe in, and Layla, my precious Layla taught me how to see the light and beauty in this world even when it seems so bleak. Bayangkan mimpi terburuk yang pernah kamu alami tetapi mimpi itu terjadi ketika kamu terjaga, setiap hari selama bertahun-tahun,” kata Hamza dikutip langsung dari laporan Human Devastation Syndrome:The Impact of Conflict on Mental Health Human Devastation Syndrome pada 2018.