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A review by anna_pearl
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
3.0
Trigger Warnings: Death, War, Revolution, Guns, Murder, Torture, Minor Cursing (around 5-10 usages), Threats, Rape,
This one was a book that I picked up because I liked the cover and the premise of the book sounded interesting, and while it was good and certainly a great book in its own right, it wasn't my favorite. I had to keep putting it down because of all the things it was making me feel—which perhaps speaks wonders for the book—but they weren't happy feelings. It was a cold, hard reminder that there's injustice like this still happening in the world and that ultimately, I am powerless to help.
Salama, the main character, was studying to be a pharmacist before the war broke out. After, she ended up helping at a hospital out of necessity, doing jobs that are way over her head. While she can name all the pharmaceuticals, she has to help perform surgeries and stitch up cuts and all these other things.
It's certainly a gruesome book, taking place in Syria during a revolution, and while there were some sparks of light throughout (I won't name them because of spoilers, but they're there), it wasn't quite enough to make the book any less depressing. I'm not sure what the author's purpose was here, but if it was entertainment, this one was a little bit too dark for that in my opinion.
I'm not really sure what to say other than the fact that it was okay, I got through it, but it took me a while and I definitely wouldn't read it again.
This one was a book that I picked up because I liked the cover and the premise of the book sounded interesting, and while it was good and certainly a great book in its own right, it wasn't my favorite. I had to keep putting it down because of all the things it was making me feel—which perhaps speaks wonders for the book—but they weren't happy feelings. It was a cold, hard reminder that there's injustice like this still happening in the world and that ultimately, I am powerless to help.
Salama, the main character, was studying to be a pharmacist before the war broke out. After, she ended up helping at a hospital out of necessity, doing jobs that are way over her head. While she can name all the pharmaceuticals, she has to help perform surgeries and stitch up cuts and all these other things.
It's certainly a gruesome book, taking place in Syria during a revolution, and while there were some sparks of light throughout (I won't name them because of spoilers, but they're there), it wasn't quite enough to make the book any less depressing. I'm not sure what the author's purpose was here, but if it was entertainment, this one was a little bit too dark for that in my opinion.
I'm not really sure what to say other than the fact that it was okay, I got through it, but it took me a while and I definitely wouldn't read it again.