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theladygrey's reviews
12 reviews
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you are looking for a novel that captures the realities of Syrians during the Syrian War, then this is not the right book for you.
If you are fans of The Book Thief and All The Light We Cannot See, then you might like this novel.
As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow is a dark, devastating, emotional, and sometimes funny novel. It follows the story of Salama, an 18-year-old pharmacist working at a hospital during the Syrian war.Â
I fully admit to judging this book by its cover, but what ultimately got me to finally get this book was the plot. And after reading the whole thing, I have to say that I'm glad I scanned the YA section that one time and found this book.
Of course, nothing is ever perfect. Spoilers from this point onI feel that Salama and Kenan's romance too forced. The epilogue and the extra short story felt detatched from the whole thing. But I'd like to think that this part is their "might" life as Salama calls it.
I really enjoyed Kwawf and it kind of feels similar to Death in The Book Thief so I wonder if maybe the author took that as an inspiration for Kwawf.
Layla. Oh, Layla. That was a twist.
The author admitted to taking creative liberties while regarding the timeline of the war but I feel like instead of her addressing it after the novel, it should have been noted in the beginning or at least included some footnotes. There's also the murdered singer of 'How Sweet Is Freedom'. For non-Syrians he is unknown and I feel that it should have been noted that he was actually an important person in real life.
But even with all those minor complaints, I still give 4 stars.Â
If you are fans of The Book Thief and All The Light We Cannot See, then you might like this novel.
As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow is a dark, devastating, emotional, and sometimes funny novel. It follows the story of Salama, an 18-year-old pharmacist working at a hospital during the Syrian war.Â
I fully admit to judging this book by its cover, but what ultimately got me to finally get this book was the plot. And after reading the whole thing, I have to say that I'm glad I scanned the YA section that one time and found this book.
Of course, nothing is ever perfect. Spoilers from this point on
I really enjoyed Kwawf and it kind of feels similar to Death in The Book Thief so I wonder if maybe the author took that as an inspiration for Kwawf.
Layla. Oh, Layla. That was a twist.
The author admitted to taking creative liberties while regarding the timeline of the war but I feel like instead of her addressing it after the novel, it should have been noted in the beginning or at least included some footnotes. There's also the murdered singer of 'How Sweet Is Freedom'. For non-Syrians he is unknown and I feel that it should have been noted that he was actually an important person in real life.
But even with all those minor complaints, I still give 4 stars.Â