As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is the kind of book that makes you realize how inadequate five stars can sometimes feel. Zoulfa Katouh has written a heartbreakingly beautiful love letter to Syria—one filled with grief, courage, resistance, and, above all, hope. What struck me most was how deeply human this story felt. It explores not only what war does to a country, but what it does to the human mind and heart. The way grief, trauma, fear, and our different ways of coping with unbearable realities are portrayed was incredibly moving. There were moments when I became frustrated with the characters for the ways they responded to their circumstances, only to realize how human those responses actually were. Sometimes we blame ourselves for things that were never ours to carry. Sometimes we find ways to escape realities that are too painful to accept. And sometimes, surviving is an act of courage in itself. Salama’s story particularly resonated with me because of her role as a healthcare worker. As someone who also works in healthcare, I could understand the impossible weight of feeling responsible for people who need you while also being a human being with your own fears, loved ones, and life to protect. There is something profoundly selfless about choosing to care for others in the midst of chaos, and this book portrays that moral conflict with so much humanity. Kenan’s character also left a lasting impression on me. His courage and his determination to speak, document, and refuse to look away reminded me that change often begins with individuals who are brave enough to say, This is wrong. It made me reflect on our own lives. How many times do we see something wrong happening to us or to someone around us and choose silence because speaking is uncomfortable? Courage has to begin somewhere. The conversations throughout this book about freedom and hope stayed with me deeply. Freedom is something so many of us inherit without ever having to question its price, while others have sacrificed everything simply for the right to imagine it. And reading this book now, after the fall of the Assad regime, gives those conversations and hopes for a free Syria an entirely different weight. But perhaps the questions that will stay with me longest are the ones this book forced me to confront: Why are innocent people made to suffer for the ambitions of those in power? Who gave anyone the right to decide that one human life is worth less than another? How can someone take away a freedom that was never theirs to give in the first place? I don’t think I will ever have answers that satisfy me. The author’s note made the book even more powerful. Fiction can sometimes give us a small emotional distance from suffering, until we are reminded that behind stories like these are histories that were actually lived. Real people. Real families. Real losses. It made me want to learn so much more about Syria beyond what we hear in headlines. May Allah grant all those who were unjustly killed the highest ranks of Jannah, bring justice to the oppressed, and grant peace and freedom to all those who have been denied it. Ameen. I also have to mention Zoulfa Katouh’s prose. It is absolutely beautiful—lyrical and poetic without taking away from the gravity of the story. There is something incredibly powerful about finding such beautiful language in a story surrounded by so much devastation. Flowers still bloom. People still love. They still laugh. They still dream. Life, somehow, insists on continuing. Even the title has left me curious to learn more about the symbolism of lemons and lemon trees in Syrian culture. Throughout the book, nature feels intertwined with memory, homeland, and belonging. The lemon tree, to me, came to represent something deeply beautiful: roots. Because that is ultimately what this book left me thinking about. Hope does not mean denying suffering. Hope can be resistance. Hope can be speaking when silence is safer. Hope can be holding onto your humanity when the world around you seems to have lost its own. Hope can be believing in freedom before you can see it. And sometimes, hope is simply knowing that no matter how much has been destroyed above the surface, the roots beneath the soil may still be alive. As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow broke my heart, but somehow, it also left me with hope. And I think that is exactly the point. 🍋🌿

I like stories that are set in real events. This ine gives great insight in the Syrians struggles with the civil war. It is sad and hopeful. Beautifully written.

First off, the language is poetic and gorgeous. One neat device is how the main character sees the world through her pharmacy eyes - she defines and describes in technical, medical detail. This style of voice gives you such a rich feel for the character’s personality, and how that personality is navigating the horrors of her life and the sweet awkwardness of young love. The descriptions of war, the fear, hunger, loss experienced by every day Syrians was powerful. I loved the love story that blossomed in the midst of all that tragedy. It was sweet, the chemistry and emotions were so well done. It was relatable for anyone dealing with long-term grief and trying to salvage some joy and meaning out of life anyway. Did not see the twist coming! It was also not gratuitous, but added layers and depth to the character and her experience. Overall, I might have shied away from this book for the heavy overarching subject matter, but I’m so glad I didn’t! This was a book that spoke to me, changed me, and opened my eyes. Definitely recommend. I would reread this.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster but I loved every second of it. The writing is beautiful and it’s about a topic not many people know much about. I would absolutely recommend it

The hardcover is beautifully made and arrived in excellent condition. The quality is impressive, and it looks great on my bookshelf. A wonderful addition to my book collection.

Poorly put together. Good book though

This book was recommended to me to help with a project I'm working on. It changed my life, it was that good. If you even thinking about it, buy it. The author did an amazing job, and f he plot.twist are beautiful. The romance is beautiful, and very clean. 11/10 for me

I was interested due to the reviews but was waiting and waiting for the twist and the story became repetitive to me. I struggled u til the good part and then it was a very predictable ending for me. That being said, I enjoyed reading about the plight of the displaced. There were some valuable moments.

As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow ist ein Buch, das man nicht einfach liest, man fühlt es. Die Geschichte gibt einen erschütternd ehrlichen Einblick in den Krieg in Syrien und zeigt, was er mit jungen Menschen, ihren Träumen und ihrer Hoffnung macht. Die Hauptfigur Salama ist unglaublich stark und gleichzeitig zerbrechlich, was sie sehr real wirken lässt. Besonders berührend ist der innere Konflikt zwischen Überleben, Schuldgefühlen und dem Wunsch nach Freiheit. Der Schreibstil ist poetisch, emotional und bleibt lange im Kopf. Viele Szenen gehen unter die Haut und lassen einen auch nach dem Lesen nicht los. Ein wichtiges Buch, das Empathie schafft und zum Nachdenken anregt. Das Buch hat mich so bewegt, dass ich sogar eine Collage dazu erstellt habe, um meine Gefühle und Gedanken nach dem Lesen auszudrücken. Ein wichtiges, emotionales Buch, das man nicht vergisst.

Very good story, sad but uplifting.

I struggled a bit getting into it but once I was into it, I couldn’t stop. I woke up one morning and just got my kindle out to continue reading. I didn’t realise I was getting to the most saddest part of the book, and all I did when reading that chapter, was cry! This is not just a story, this is some people’s reality and it really made me think about the refuges who flee their homeland to find safety. This book captures every emotion - happiness, sadness, hope and fear. It explains the internal battles those who have experienced war go through! I definitely recommend this book!

Book quality is terrible. The pages are uneven, there are tears on the pages. Given that this is such a great book, I’m disappointed at the quality of the book

The quality of book is so good I like it so much thank you ! Im probably order again 🫶🏻🌷