The sun has been slowly melting away the remains of winter, but the cold is still here. Spring, the symbol of new life, does not extend to worn- out Syria. Least of all my city, Homs. Misery reigns strong in the dead, heavy branches and rubble, thwarted only by the hope in people’s hearts. Salama is worried that every day could be her last, yet she is reluctant to leave Syria, even knowing it would be better for herself and Layla to leave. What do you believe is keeping her there? This is why the question of whether to stay and help her compatriots or to flee weighs heavily on Salama. But it’s not that anymore. Layla’s home has lost its spark, the colors completely faded, leaving a sunken gray shade in their wake. It’s a husk of a home. he knows that a desolate future awaits him if he doesn't leave. he's not a fool. but his heart overflows with so much love for his country he's willing to let it drown him and his loved ones.

I love every character in this book.I was affected by every single one of them. I'm ready to sacrifice myself for them. They deserve the best in the whole world. Layla was so bright and so full of life she was the shining light in the darkest times. Ahmed Lamar and Yousef were the bravest kids ever i admired their courage and strength . Kenean was so sweet and determined and brave his love for his country and his siblings was really admirable<33 By writing in English, Katouh felt she could finally get the message out about what is happening in Syria, especially since she says many people do not really know about the atrocities taking place there. Building empathy Salama ahh salama she was so strong and loyal to her family and to her patients and to her country. It was so hard being in her mind sometimes. The guilt and the fear and sadness was to much. She wasn't perfect she made mistakes horrible ones but she's only human and the fear and desperate need to survive will make u do anything. I understand and I love her with my whole heart <33 Hamza makes Salama promise to take care of Layla, even though she is the younger sister. Do you think that was fair to Salama? Do you think it played a part in the break of Salama’s mental health?A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, burning with the fires of hope, love, and possibility. Perfect for fans of The Book Thief and Salt to the Sea. And despite it all, I hope you see my Lemon Babies as more than the sadness. We are so much more than that. We are not what the media has written us to be. We are proud, resilient, kind, ambitious, generous. We changed the world. We were the cradle of civilisation-- inventions happened because of us. Our history is golden. We are strong hijabi girls who live life to the fullest, and soft, kind Muslim boys who reject the toxic masculinity ideology. We are not what they wrote us to be. We are not a stereotype. We are so much more than you can imagine. Salama, Layla, and Kenan are more than their pain and loss.

i’m so glad kenan and salama found each other. they’ve been through so so so much and they deserve all the happiness in the world and i’m so glad they’re finally getting that 🥹❤️‍🩹 i know this book isn’t really about the romance but their love story is everything i love them so much. Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors daily. Secretly, though, she is desperate to find a way out of her beloved country before her sister-in-law, Layla, gives birth. So desperate, that she has manifested a physical embodiment of her fear in the form of her imagined companion, Khawf, who haunts her every move in an effort to keep her safe. This is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won't stop us. I have God, he'll protect me. I've been force fed oppression but I will no longer swallow its bitter taste." It makes the book so much stronger in its impact, but also gives it peace in the losses (you'll know what I'm talking about when you read) Ini mulai dari Salama yang harus melakukan amputasi pada prajurit dari Tentara Pembebasan Suriah atau Free Syrian Army, menyelamatkan anak kecil yang tangan dan kakinya sudah hampir putus, hingga menyelamatkan anak-anak dan perempuan yang terkena serangan senjata kimia. Serangan yang bahkan dalam ilmu kedokteran modern sekalipun masih belum ditemukan prosedur penyelamatannya.

Discussion

kenan & salama <3 and their love for studio ghibli, their country, their people, and themselves. how they stayed so courageous during all the pain they endured is so admirable.