The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
by Rabih Alameddine – it’s a top fave of the year for me and a lot of “best of” book lists. Very enjoyable, while also being informative about Lebanon over the years.
itsthomasnow on
I don’t know why this caught me, but I did some looking and found “A Summer Romance in Byblos” which I haven’t read (and has no reviews online) but might scratch your itch?
Did make me wonder if it were your own new release… but perhaps I’m too jaded!
My other suggestion is The Arsonist’s City by Hala Alyan which isn’t set in Byblos but has settings in Beirut (as well as Syria and in the US). It’s gorgeous and so well written. It was recommended to me on this sub as a story of family complexity (which it is). It has a lovely mix of modern Beirut as well as some nostalgic beachy summer feels in Beirut. Having never been it made it feel like a city I’d love to meet.
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The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
by Rabih Alameddine – it’s a top fave of the year for me and a lot of “best of” book lists. Very enjoyable, while also being informative about Lebanon over the years.
I don’t know why this caught me, but I did some looking and found “A Summer Romance in Byblos” which I haven’t read (and has no reviews online) but might scratch your itch?
Did make me wonder if it were your own new release… but perhaps I’m too jaded!
My other suggestion is The Arsonist’s City by Hala Alyan which isn’t set in Byblos but has settings in Beirut (as well as Syria and in the US). It’s gorgeous and so well written. It was recommended to me on this sub as a story of family complexity (which it is). It has a lovely mix of modern Beirut as well as some nostalgic beachy summer feels in Beirut. Having never been it made it feel like a city I’d love to meet.