48 pages 1 hour read

Zoulfa Katouh

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh follows Salama Kassab, an 18-year-old pharmacy student in Homs, Syria, during the Syrian Revolution. Amidst bombings and shootings, she works tirelessly at a hospital, grappling with the loss of her family, and faces a difficult choice between staying to help or seeking safety in Germany for her pregnant sister-in-law. The book contains martial violence, sexual assault, self-harm, death, and mental health struggles related to the Syrian Revolution.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh is praised for its emotional depth and poignant portrayal of the Syrian conflict. The characters are well-developed, bringing human faces to the tragedy. However, some readers felt the pacing faltered at times. Overall, it’s a compelling and heartfelt narrative that sheds light on a critical issue.

Who should read this

Who Should Read As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow?

Readers who would enjoy As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh are those captivated by compelling, character-driven narratives set against the backdrop of conflict. Similar to fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, they appreciate emotional depth, historical settings, and resilience themes.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Romance

Fantasy

Topics

Military / War

History: World

Themes

Society: War

Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Relationships: Family