Books from Syria

Renowned poet Nizar Qabbani was inspired to write again after meeting Balqis, the great love of his life. After a seven-year courtship against her family's wishes, they finally married, only for their happiness to be shattered by a violent tragedy. This powerful elegy is Qabbani's tribute to his wife, a raw expression of love and devastating loss.

• forbidden love

In the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War, celebrated poet Nizar Qabbani unleashed this furious and controversial poem. "Margins on the Notebook of the Setback" is a raw and unflinching critique of the Arab leadership and society that led to the devastating defeat. This short, sharp piece of poetic outrage caused a storm upon its release for its harsh truths. The work marked a turning point for Qabbani, cementing his role as a powerful political voice.

Muhammad Shahrur presents a contemporary linguistic analysis of the Quran, challenging traditional interpretations that have stood for centuries. He applies modern scientific and philosophical frameworks to the text to distinguish between eternal divine laws and historical context. This work serves as a foundational text for modern Islamic thought and legal reform.

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

What if the Quranic stories could be read through the lens of modern science? Muhammad Shahrur challenges traditional interpretations, using fields like anthropology and archaeology to re-examine the tales of the prophets. In this first volume, he introduces his unique methodology and uses the story of Adam to show how these ancient narratives can be understood in a new light.

The closing volume of Hanna Mina's autobiographical trilogy: a family's return to poverty-stricken Latakia, and a childhood shaped by a sick mother, an alcoholic father, and the olive harvest that sustains them.

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

This book offers a firsthand account of the Syrian uprising, detailing the experiences of ordinary citizens caught in the conflict. It explores the political and social conditions that led to the war and its devastating impact on the lives of Syrians. The narrative provides a personal perspective on the challenges and dangers faced by those living through a period of intense upheaval.

• survival

2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST "The potent latest from Yazbek (Planet of Clay) weighs the consequences of the Syrian civil war after a 19-year-old soldier, Ali, survives his patrol station's 2013 bombing in the Lattakia mountains. This slim novel packs a punch."--Publishers Weekly Ali, a nineteen-year-old soldier in the Syrian army, lies on the ground beneath a tree. He sees a body being lowered into a hole--is this his funeral? There was that sudden explosion, wasn't there ... While trying to understand the extend of the damage, Ali works his way closer to the tree. His ultimate desire is to fly up to one of its branches, to safety. Through rich vignettes of Ali's memories, we uncover the hardships of his traditional Syrian Alawite village, but also the richness and beauty of its cultural and religious heritage. Yazbek here explores the secrets of the Alawite faith and its relationship to nature and the elements in a tight poetic novel dense with life and hope and love.

This book shares the incredible true story of Nujeen Mustafa, a Syrian teenager with cerebral palsy, who embarks on a harrowing journey from her war-torn homeland to Germany. Confined to a wheelchair, Nujeen's resilience and unwavering optimism shine through as she navigates immense physical hardships and the challenges of the Syrian refugee crisis. Her story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for hope and determination in the face of adversity.

• survival
• coming of age

Nujeen Mustafa, a young Syrian refugee with cerebral palsy, recounts her extraordinary journey from war-torn Aleppo to Germany. Pushing herself in a wheelchair across 3,500 miles, she navigates treacherous landscapes and bureaucratic hurdles. This is a powerful story of resilience, hope, and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

• survival
• coming of age

" ... 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.