By Daniella Razzouk | Staff Writer
Trying to find Lebanese fiction that was both interesting and entertaining, was a struggle that followed me in my teenage years. I loved to read, and I was starved for proper representation, but I always found it so difficult to actually find books or authors that I liked. Three years and one Literature degree later, I’ve managed to accumulate a collection of favourites.
So, I’ve collected a list of some of them, but two disclaimers before we start. First, some of these books may be difficult to find online or even in bookstores, but they should all be available in Jafet Libraries, so be sure to check there for any book that catches your eye. Second, due to the less than stellar political and social landscape of the past fifty years, most of these books cover heavy or disturbing events, including the civil war, sexual assault, and more, so be sure to check for any trigger warnings if certain things upset you.
Without further ado, here is a list to get you started in the tumultuous and slightly traumatizing world of Lebanese literature.
- The Hakawati by Rabih Alameddine
Alameddine is one of those authors who are inescapable when you talk about Lebanese literature, and for good reason. The story follows Osama, who returns to Beirut in 2003 and is trying to rediscover parts of the Beirut he remembers. This leads him to remember his grandfather, a storyteller, and the rich tapestry of stories that have led them to this moment, as the stories cover the grandfather’s own past as well as the distant, fabled, past.
- Sitt Marie Rose by Etel Adnan
Written in the midst of the civil war, the novel follows the titular Marie Rose, a Christian that has been kidnapped by the Christian militia men. The story focuses on the tribal mentality and sectarian violence that characterized the civil war, and what happens when some refuse to adhere to sectarian lines in the sand.
- Somewhere, Home by Nada Awar Jarrar
In this novel, we follow the stories of three generations of women as they survive some of the darkest and most pivotal moments of Lebanese history. As the story unfolds, we slowly begin to put the pieces together to see how these women connect to each other, and what their stories tell us about our lives as a whole.
- De Niro’s Game by Rawi Hage
Bassam and George are two best friends living in Beirut during the Lebanese civil war. Bassam wants nothing more than to leave but finds himself stuck in Beirut for the time being. Despite this, he never lets his goal out of his sight. George, on the other hand, embraces a life of military power and focuses on building his connections in the Beirut underground. Told through the viewpoint of Bassam, the story follows his obsession with immigration, before following him on path to exile and alienation abroad.
- The Journey of Little Gandhi by Elias Khoury
The story follows two central characters, the titular Little Gandhi, a shoe shiner on Bliss Street, and Alice, a retired prostitute. Yet, it is clear to us from the very beginning that the true main character is Beirut itself, represented through Alice and Little Gandhi. Through what Alice is willing to tell us about her golden years, we begin to piece together the story of family, death, abuse, all of which centres around Beirut itself.
- The Sacred Mountain by Charles Corm
Written in 1934 in the style of an epic poem, Charles Corm wrote this with the aim of creating a “founding myth” for Lebanese culture. Due to the inherent sectarian and exclusionary themes, as well as the active disregard of actual historical fact, this goal was never achieved. Despite this, it remains a fascinating read for anyone interested in seeing how those living through the creation of Greater Lebanon as we know it today attempted to define what it means to be Lebanese.
- Beirut Hellfire Society by Rawi Hage
My personal favourite of the list, this novel follows the story of an undertaker’s son during the civil war. After his father’s death, he is approached by the “Hellfire Society”, an anti-religious sect, asking for secret burials as they’re outcasts who have been denied their last rites.