De Niro's Game

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De Niro's Game is the award-winning debut novel by Lebanese author Rawi Hage, who also wrote Cockroach. The story follows childhood best friends Bassam and George, who grow up on the Christian side of war-torn Beirut. As they approach adulthood, they face a pivotal choice: stay in their corrupt, exhausted city or seek a new life abroad. Bassam, desperate to escape, resorts to petty crimes to fund his journey to the West. In contrast, George embraces the city's underworld, gaining power through military service, organized crime, and violence. Their diverging paths ultimately collide, leading to explosive consequences. Hage's novel serves as a poignant exploration of two young men and a city scarred by war. Critics have praised it as a masterpiece, highlighting its nuanced portrayal of the psychological impact of conflict and the vivid descriptions that bring Beirut to life. Hage, who experienced the Lebanese civil war firsthand, has received acclaim for his powerful storytelling and has won multiple literary awards. He currently resides in Montreal.