Zoulfa Katouh's Reviews > As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
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by
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Lemon Trees family.
It's quite strange giving my own book five stars but if there's one thing I gave 110% of myself in, it's Lemon Trees. And BTS taught me to speak myself. So here I am, speaking myself.
This book comes from my pain, my guilt, my love, my sorrows, my dreams, and my hopes. In short, this book comes from the raw parts of my heart.
Even though everything written in the book has been documented and reported on the news and the internet for more than ten years, not a lot of people know what's going on. Which is why I wanted to make it into a story. In the end, that's what human life is; stories.
It's going to be a difficult book to read. Hopefully, you'll cry, but at times you will laugh, you will awww and if I'm really lucky, you'll throw it against the wall. If you do do that, drop me a message and tell me because then I would know I have done good. That I wrote a good book that gave you strong feelings.
But in the end, ultimately, I hope you close this book with a newfound sense of hope. With a fire burning in your heart that 'yes, I will change the world' because this world is waiting for you. Salama, Layla, Kenan, and all the characters in this story may be fictional, but they exist in every single Syrian out there. These stories happened-- are still happening. We have once said we wouldn't allow for another Holocaust to happen, and yet, we are living through genocide every single day. Knowing their stories, their names is the first step. The second is to tell those who don't know. That's what this book is. An answer to those who are looking for one. Because no one takes to the sea, risking drowning and sharks in the water, sailing to an unknown future, if what they're leaving behind isn't something much more horrific.
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.
They are hope.
This story has been a whisper for far too long. Thank you for making it a shout to be heard all over the world.
🍋
Z
Welcome to the Lemon Trees family.
It's quite strange giving my own book five stars but if there's one thing I gave 110% of myself in, it's Lemon Trees. And BTS taught me to speak myself. So here I am, speaking myself.
This book comes from my pain, my guilt, my love, my sorrows, my dreams, and my hopes. In short, this book comes from the raw parts of my heart.
Even though everything written in the book has been documented and reported on the news and the internet for more than ten years, not a lot of people know what's going on. Which is why I wanted to make it into a story. In the end, that's what human life is; stories.
It's going to be a difficult book to read. Hopefully, you'll cry, but at times you will laugh, you will awww and if I'm really lucky, you'll throw it against the wall. If you do do that, drop me a message and tell me because then I would know I have done good. That I wrote a good book that gave you strong feelings.
But in the end, ultimately, I hope you close this book with a newfound sense of hope. With a fire burning in your heart that 'yes, I will change the world' because this world is waiting for you. Salama, Layla, Kenan, and all the characters in this story may be fictional, but they exist in every single Syrian out there. These stories happened-- are still happening. We have once said we wouldn't allow for another Holocaust to happen, and yet, we are living through genocide every single day. Knowing their stories, their names is the first step. The second is to tell those who don't know. That's what this book is. An answer to those who are looking for one. Because no one takes to the sea, risking drowning and sharks in the water, sailing to an unknown future, if what they're leaving behind isn't something much more horrific.
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.
They are hope.
This story has been a whisper for far too long. Thank you for making it a shout to be heard all over the world.
🍋
Z
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Reading Progress
November 1, 2017
–
Started Reading
August 4, 2022
– Shelved
August 4, 2022
– Shelved as:
i-wrote-this
August 4, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 185 (185 new)
message 1:
by
Emily
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 04, 2022 05:22AM
This is the book I am most excited for this year! I can’t wait to read it! Thank you for sharing this story with us all! ☀️🍋
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This was such an incredible book! It truly opened my eyes to Syria and has inspired me to find out more. Thank you!!
This book was inspiringly beautiful and heartbreaking MashAllah! It touched my heart and I’ve been thinking about it ever since I’ve turned the last page.🥹Thank you so much for this book!! And InshAllah we can read more from you soon ❤️🍋✨💛💛
I finished the book in less than 2 sittings and honestly it was one of the best books I've read. I cried (sobbed), I laughed, I felt hope and I felt despair, a snapshot of what the people of Syria feel. Thank you for brining life to Syrian stories and reminding the world that when we talk if Syria, it is more than fighting, bombing, politics, refugees and numbers, it is the lives of good people ❤️
May Allah Bless you for writing this book. It’s a reminder. You did good job. I am a big fan from now. ❤️🔥
This book is an incredible story that has me wanting to learn more about the beautiful people of Syria and their stories. Thank you for telling this story ❤️
You are telling a sad and yet hopeful and important story. I have worked as a voluntary aid worker and assisted refugees from Syria settling in Denmark. Through that I heard so many heartbreaking moments from their dangerous escape through many countries, boats or lorries. I also learned how important it is to just listen with your ear and heart. Thank you for a beautifully written book!
Just finished and seriously, wow. I tried to leave a review, but it’s so hard to put into words! Amazing. Thank you. Borahae 💜
So beautiful, may Allah reward you for telling the truth of people lives. This rarely comes through in news.
This is my favorite book for this year. What a beautiful and heartbreaking story. Thank you for shedding light on what it like to live inside what is actually happening.
Thank you for sharing and writing this story. So beautiful and heartbreaking to read, but so powerful and filled with hope for a better future. This is an important book. 💜
Just finished your book. Loved it. 5 stars. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world. 🍋💛
ahhhh I wanna read this so badly but I don't think I can do it :( I was there during the civil war, but I'll buy a copy for when I'm ready <3
I just finished reading and can't compose my thoughts yet, but I was compelled to come here to thank you for writing this book. I very rarely give a book 5 stars. As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow EARNED each star --
I would give it 10 if I could. I will be back with a longer review as soon as I can compose myself. Sincerely, borahae 💜.
I would give it 10 if I could. I will be back with a longer review as soon as I can compose myself. Sincerely, borahae 💜.
Thank you for sharing this story with us all, it was immense & these characters will forever live on in my heart. Will be recommending this to everyone that comes up to me for book recommendations. 💜🍋
I just finished this book and wow did it leave me with goosebumps. Thank you for writing this. Although it was difficult, it sent a message to many, including myself. That hope will live on. 🍋
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me hopeful. As a descendent of a Syrian refugee, I found a lovely connection with the story. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
Such an impactful book. Wept over it. Thank you for writing it and giving us new perspective and hope. 💛
I have been working with a Syrian refugee family for 6 months. They call me ‘family’ and in them, my small family has grown by 6 (soon to be 7)! I read your book to try and understand the Syria they love and the Syria they had to leave. While they are very willing to share their story, sometimes the language is a barrier. Thank you for giving me insight into what it means to be Syrian. I find myself often thinking the words inshallah and alhamdillilah. My friends have taught me so much about Syria and Arabic culture and these words resonate especially.
I finished your book today and it's just breathtaking, brilliant, sad but full of hope! ❤️🍋 I don't know what to say, so just : "Thank you!"
You are such an inspiration and so talented!!!! Thank you for writing this book and educating me and so many others ❤️ I don’t think I’ll ever get over this book 🍋
Thanks so much for writing this beautiful book! I just finished it and loved it so much. Books like this open our eyes to the struggles of others and increase our empathy. So invaluable.
You are such a stunning writer your words are so beautiful even this short review is written so magically and articulately. 🇸🇾🍋💗