Rabih Alameddine Boeken

Een in Beiroet geboren en in New York wonende computerdeskundige keert na dertig jaar terug naar zijn geboorteland om het offerfeest te vieren.

The novel explores Sarah's journey of self-discovery amidst the complexities of her hybrid family and the backdrop of wartime Beirut. As she navigates her life in self-imposed exile in the United States, she sheds layers of pretension, revealing her authentic self. Supported by a close friend and her son, Sarah embraces both her dignity and the fragmented nature of her existence. The narrative is imbued with humor and heartache, presenting a poignant and memorable exploration of humanity. A reading group guide is also included.

WINNER OF THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION 2022. 'A beautiful, well paced, enraging, funny and heartbreaking book' - The Guardian. 'Spectacular . . . deeply poignant' - New York Times. Mina Simpson, a Lebanese doctor, arrives at the Moria refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, after being called by a friend who runs an NGO. Distanced from her family except for her brother, Mina has long avoided her homeland. With a week off work and separated from her wife of thirty years, she seeks to make a meaningful impact among the many Western volunteers. Soon, a boat arrives carrying Sumaiya, a determined Syrian matriarch battling terminal liver cancer. She hides her diagnosis from her family, fiercely protecting them. As Mina and Sumaiya bond over this secret, Mina prepares a treatment plan with limited resources while grappling with the broader issues of displacement and her own limitations in providing aid. This narrative introduces a compelling heroine, leading readers through one of today's most pressing humanitarian crises. Alameddine skillfully intertwines stories of other refugees, creating a vibrant tapestry of tragic yet humorous portraits of resilient spirits. 'Alameddine hits a distinctly contemporary note with this new book about refugees . . . it feels totally authentic' - Sunday Times.

Aaliya Sohbi, a solitary woman in Beirut, navigates her reclusive existence filled with unshared literary translations and reflections on her tumultuous past. As she confronts her identity as an 'unnecessary appendage' in her family, her accidental hair mishap sparks a late-life crisis. Through her vibrant thoughts on literature, philosophy, and art, Aaliya grapples with memories of the Lebanese Civil War and the challenges of aging. A looming disaster forces her to reconsider her fragile life and the choices that have defined her.

Following the critical and commercial success of An Unnecessary Woman, Alameddine delivers a spectacular portrait of a man and an era of profound political and social upheaval.

Fiery and candid, I Killed Scheherazade is a provocative exploration of what it means to be an 'Arab woman' today.