As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow 🍋🌳

 

Assalamualaikum & Hi readers,

It's been a long time since I last read an English fiction book. Finally, I picked up As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh. This book has been trending on my feed for the past few years, and I bought it last year during a book festival. I’m glad that I finally managed to finish it this year. Even though it gained a lot of attention online, what truly drew me to this book was its setting, which revolves around the situation in the Middle East. I’ve always had a soft spot for stories like this, ever since I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini more than 10 years ago 😁

Without further delay, let's we talk about this book.

As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow tells the story of Salama, a first-year pharmacy student who is forced to take on the role of a doctor at Zaytouna Hospital in Homs, Syria, after a revolutionary protest takes away her Baba and her brother Hamza, while her Mama is killed in a bombing that destroys their home. Salama is left only with her best friend, now her sister-in-law, Layla, who is heavily pregnant. 

As a result of the trauma from her mother’s death, Salama begins to experience hallucinations in the form of an imaginary companion named Kahwf.  Kahwf acts as her harsh inner voice or reality check, constantly reminding her of Hamza’s dying wish, that she protect both Mama and Layla. Though Mama is gone, the guilt of failing to save her continues to haunt Salama. Driven by this guilt, Kahwf persistently urges her to escape Homs and flee to Germany with Layla, with the help of Am. However, Salama struggles with the moral burden of abandoning her responsibilities at the hospital, which is already critically understaffed. This overwhelming sense of duty causes her to repeatedly delay her escape, torn between survival and sacrifice 😓

After enduring countless of 'emotional torment' from Kahwf, Salama decided to approach Am, for the sake of Layla and the future Baby Salama. Everything was going according to plan until fate brought her to Kenan, whom she met at the hospital while he was trying to save his sister, Lama. Salama chose to help him by going to his house and performing surgery on Lama to save her life. After the procedure, Salama realized that Kenan looked very familiar. To her surprise, Kenan was actually her destined groom. They were meant to meet earlier, but due to the protest incident, it never happened, until now.

Through meeting Kenan, she found comfort and began to heal from the 'tortured' caused by Kahwf. Gradually, she opened up to him about her trauma, her dreams, and her emotions. This connection also helped her realize that there was another trauma she needed to confront beyond Kahwf. This discovery truly surprised me, and I felt deeply sorry for Salama 😭

At the same time, their plan to flee from Syria begins to involve more people. Initially, it was just Salama and Layla. But after meeting Kenan, and with Salama’s persuasion, he agrees to let her take his younger siblings, Lama and Yusuf. Why does Kenan choose to stay behind? Will Salama manage to convince him to come along? Will their journey go smoothly, and will they make it to Germany safely?

You'll have to read the book to find out 😉

Even though this book did not make me cry like Kite Runner, I really enjoyed the ending and felt satisfied and relieved after seeing their hardship.

This book reminded me of my brothers and sisters in Gaza, who, I believe, are also going through difficult times. I believe that patriotism motivates them to stay, but life is precious, and they must survive. However, their reliance on Allah to become a martyr deeply moved me. Similarly, Salama believes that being killed on the spot is preferable to being captured and tortured. 

Salama is a bright girl who is expected to have a bright future. I really pity her, and if I were in her shoes, I'm not sure if I'd be able to survive that long and have the courage to work while also considering fleeing. I'm just going to give up and finish my time in Syria. But fortunately, she met Kenan, the love of her life. I adore Kenan; he is one of the greenest male characters I've ever read, aside from Levi in Rainbow Rowel's Fangirl. He is extremely mature for his age, constantly attempting to remain composed and calm in the face of hardship. He is an excellent complement to Salama. 

Reading this book makes my heart race with concern for their safety and ability to flee Syria. Alhamdulillah, the worry was worthwhile, and I'm very happy for them. I hope that all of my brothers and sisters who have faced similar situations to Salama and Kenan can find peace and solace in their own way. I believe that after all of our hardships, we deserve to be loved and to achieve our dreams 💕

After all, this book easily get 💫5/5💫 from me and I really want to read so many books like this with so many green flags character.

See you again ✌

Don't focus on the darkness and sadness. If you do, you won't see the light, even if its staring you in the face