48 pages • 1 hour read
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
448
Novel • Fiction
Syria • 2010s
2022
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
YA
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh follows Salama Kassab, an 18-year-old pharmacy student in Homs, Syria, during the Syrian Revolution. Amidst bombings and shootings, she works tirelessly at a hospital, grappling with the loss of her family, and faces a difficult choice between staying to help or seeking safety in Germany for her pregnant sister-in-law. The book contains martial violence, sexual assault, self-harm, death, and mental health struggles related to the Syrian Revolution.
Emotional
Dark
Hopeful
Mysterious
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
69,172 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh is praised for its emotional depth and poignant portrayal of the Syrian conflict. The characters are well-developed, bringing human faces to the tragedy. However, some readers felt the pacing faltered at times. Overall, it’s a compelling and heartfelt narrative that sheds light on a critical issue.
Who Should Read As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow?
Readers who would enjoy As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh are those captivated by compelling, character-driven narratives set against the backdrop of conflict. Similar to fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, they appreciate emotional depth, historical settings, and resilience themes.
69,172 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Khawf
Khawf
The embodiment of fear, acting as both an antagonist and mentor in Salama's life. His presence underscores the pervasive impact of fear, urging her to confront and overcome her fears.
Kenan
Kenan
Salama's love interest and a passionate young man committed to documenting the Syrian Revolution through his videos. His bravery and empathy play a crucial role in Salama's journey towards happiness and healing.
448
Novel • Fiction
Syria • 2010s
2022
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
YA
14-18 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.