Love, Trauma, and War: A Short Review of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Every lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out. — Nizar Qabbani

Imagine watching both of your parents die in front of your eyes. You have the chance to save them, but you just can’t sacrifice your life. The only things left beside you is your sister, a pregnant woman whose husband is being imprisoned and kidnapped by the military, and you have to save their life while also keeping yours.

Her name is Salama, a young woman who lives and grew up in Syria and had to watch all the deaths of her parents, kids, and some people she loves the most. I love how this book presents life as more than just survival. Salama, the main character, has done her best, fighting from the beginning to the end of the story, and ultimately, she deserves all the happiness in the end, despite all the fear and pain she has been through.

Saving her own life had already been difficult for Salama, since she watched her parents die, and she always got anxious before bedtime. She also suffers from mental health issues, yet she still could save a human’s life by taking a role as part of the volunteers. She does surgeries and medical support for the victims, especially the children.

from this novel, we believe that the world wouldn’t break someone who doesn’t fear anything, either the horrific shadows from the past, or the worst possibility of the future.

Death is an excellent teacher.

Death doesn’t wait for anyone.

“Don’t focus on the darkness and sadness”

“This place is imbued with your trauma. Do you see why you need to leave, Salama?”

“Everywhere. Since the beginning of time, I have awoken in people’s hearts. I’ve been given many names in countless languages. In yours, I’m Khawf. In English, Fear. In German, Angst. Humans have listened to my whispers, heeded my council, and tasted my power. I’m everywhere. In the breaths of a king executed by his people. In the last heartbeats of a soldier bleeding out alone. In the tears of a pregnant girl dying at her doorstep.”