Books from Lebanon

Kahlil Gibran's beloved 1923 book of prose poetry. As the prophet Almustafa prepares to sail home from the city of Orphalese, its people ask him to share his wisdom. In twenty-six poetic sermons he speaks on love, marriage, work, joy and sorrow, freedom, and death — a touchstone of modern spiritual literature.

This poetic novella tells the story of a young man's profound first love for Selma Karamy in Beirut. Their spiritual connection is challenged by rigid societal norms and the machinations of powerful figures. It explores themes of destiny, freedom, and the enduring pain of a love lost too soon, making it a classic tale of heartbreak and the human spirit's yearning for true connection.

• forbidden love
• marriage of convenience

Amin Maalouf's sweeping historical novel follows the manuscript of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat across nine centuries — from the poet's own eleventh-century Persia to its final, legendary voyage aboard the Titanic.

• dual timeline

A historical novel by Jurji Zaydan, part of his series Novels of the History of Islam. Set around the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE and the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, it weaves love, honor, and sacrifice through one of early Islam's most tragic turning points — history told with the pull of romance and suspense.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb's "The Black Swan" challenges how we think about the world. It examines the massive impact of rare, unpredictable events that are often dismissed because they are hard to forecast. This book encourages a new perspective on risk, probability, and the limits of our knowledge.

A historical novel by Jurji Zaydan, part of Novels of the History of Islam. It dramatizes the rise of Shajar al-Durr, a woman of slave origin who became the first woman to rule Islamic Egypt at the fall of the Ayyubid dynasty and the dawn of the Mamluks — a tale of power, war, and court intrigue.

• court intrigue

An Arabic-language collection of short spiritual reflections drawing on verses from the Qur'an, addressed by turns to the faithful, the doubtful, the grieving, and the searching. Adham Sharkawi's accessible, conversational style has made this one of the most widely read contemporary Islamic non-fiction titles in the Arab world since its 2021 publication.

After his wife is murdered and violated, Waach hunts the killer, a Mohawk man who mutilates his victims in a manner disturbingly echoed by nature. The narrative shifts between wild and domestic animals, who bear witness to the unfolding events and take turns telling the story. This is a novel exploring totemic and animistic themes.

• revenge
• multiple povs
• quest

Twenty-five years after leaving his homeland, historian Adam returns to Lebanon following the death of a childhood friend. His visit reunites him with three other friends who have since emigrated, prompting a reflection on their shared past and divergent paths.

Mikhail Naimy presents a collection of short stories that explore the human condition and the search for meaning in a changing world. These tales reflect on social justice, spiritual growth, and the struggles of everyday life in early 20th-century Lebanon and the diaspora. It is a foundational work of modern Arabic literature that looks at the heart of what it means to be human.

In the second volume of his autobiography, Mikhail Naimy recounts his formative years spent studying in Russia and his eventual move to the United States. He shares his personal growth and the intellectual shifts that shaped his worldview during a time of global upheaval. This memoir offers a direct look at the life of one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic literature.

• coming of age

Nassim Nicholas Taleb questions our understanding of success in Fooled by Randomness. He argues that luck, not just skill, heavily influences outcomes, especially in business. This book reveals how we often misinterpret random events as predictable patterns or personal merit.

This collection offers 300 letters touching on all aspects of life, from relationships and marriage to family, neighbors, and work. The author connects these timeless Islamic teachings to contemporary life, showing how faith can guide and improve every situation. It's a glimpse into the beauty and wisdom of Islam, presented in a relatable and applicable way.

• epistolary
• mentor figure

In "Nightmares of Beirut," Ghada Al-Samman plunges readers into the heart of Lebanon's capital at the explosive dawn of its civil war. The novel captures the pervasive atmosphere of gunpowder and corruption, where political and financial deceit intertwines with moral decay. It follows ordinary individuals navigating their daily lives amidst the chaos, indifferent to the fate of their nation as fires consume a city once alive with the rhythm of conflict.

• morally grey

Antonio Tabucchi's novel explores the final three days in the life of Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa. As Pessoa succumbs to delirium in his hospital room, he imagines visitors who confess details about their lives. This work blurs the lines between reality and fiction, offering a unique meditation on life, death, and the creative mind.

• unreliable narrator

Ghada al-Samman explores the darker corners of the human psyche through a collection of sharp, surreal stories. These tales navigate the blurred lines between reality and madness in a world filled with social and political tension. It is a bold look at the internal struggles of individuals living in a fractured society.

• morally grey

In the Algerian desert, young Yudah is chosen by a rabbi to become the unseen wife of Emir Abdelkader, upending her dreams of a grand palace. Instead, she finds herself in a windswept tent camp, her husband perpetually absent. When the Emir surrenders and is exiled to France, Yudah's journey takes an unexpected turn. She continues her tireless search for the husband she has never met, navigating a new world and an uncertain destiny.

• fish out of water
• quest
• coming of age
• marriage of convenience

In a small Lebanese village, a woman navigates the complexities of love, loss, and tradition. This novel explores the enduring bonds of family and community against a backdrop of changing times. It's a story of memory, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday life.

• family saga

This play explores the enduring impact of war and displacement across generations. It follows a family's journey through secrets, violence, and the search for identity, as characters grapple with their past and the weight of their heritage. The narrative weaves together personal stories with broader historical conflicts, revealing the profound consequences of promises made and broken.

• family saga

" ... in translation, alongside the original Arabic, including thirteen poems by Darwish never before published - in English or Arabic - and a long work by Adonis ... also published here for the first time."--[P.] 4 of cover.

Adoniada is a collection of poetry by Adonis, the acclaimed Syrian poet. This volume delves into themes of identity and memory through lyrical verse. Readers will find a contemplative journey exploring personal history and cultural heritage.