Book Summary

Ghada Al-Samman, in her debut work, releases a book titled "Beirut 75" which describes the conditions of this city and the situation at the onset of the civil war in 1975. The Lebanese civil war engaged all segments of society for 15 years and created a crisis that was thought to exacerbate the class divide and poverty among the people even before the war began. Tribal prejudices further intensified the suffering of the community's residents.

Al-Samman begins her story with five travelers heading to Beirut, individuals with various hopes and dreams who believe they are going to find safety and establish a name for themselves, unaware that a bitter fate awaits them. The intelligent Arab author, whose stories and novels are read by many Arabs, aims to portray the challenges faced by those living in the contemporary Arab world and to reveal what truly occurs in so-called modern yet fundamentally traditional environments. Interestingly, Ghada Al-Samman wrote "Beirut 75" before the war started, and many critics regard it as a prediction of the conflict.

Another honor of this novel is receiving the Fulbright Award, one of the most prestigious academic awards in the world.

About the Author

Ghada Al-Samman is a writer and literary figure from Syria, born in 1942 in Damascus. She is one of the founders of modern poetry in Arabic literature and is distantly related to the famous poet Nizar Qabbani. The death of her mother during her childhood and her father's support led her to pursue writing in her teenage years, which she continued professionally. Ghada studied English literature at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and then chose careers such as a lecturer and journalist, which she still practices today. She currently lives in Paris and writes for an Arabic-language magazine in London. Some of her most notable works include "Beirut Nightmares," "No Sea in Beirut," "The Night of the first billion," and "The Square Moon."

Who Should Read the Book?

"Beirut 75" is recommended for those interested in fictional literature, especially for readers who greatly enjoy stories authored by Arab writers.

Book Quotes

The sun was scorching and hot. Everything in that street of Damascus was sweating profusely. The buildings and sidewalks trembled with the feverish heat rising from everything around. The sounds were also harshly burnt and muted. Farah thought that the street might lose consciousness at any moment. The trees, cars, passersby, vendors, and a man standing in front of the garage, shouting intermittently: "Beirut, Beirut." A pretty little girl came out through the garage gate. Farah thought the girl's cheeks flushed at the mention of Beirut. Could it be that she was blushing from the heat? (Men and women all dream of going to Beirut. Yes, I am not alone, but I am the only one going to conquer it.)

"Beirut, Beirut," shouted a man with a protruding belly. It seemed his belly had fainted from the heat. "Beirut, Beirut." He pronounced the name of Beirut melodically, as if he were a dancer performing for the people in a cabaret.

The pretty little girl came forward. Her mother said goodbye to her. She was a veiled woman whose poverty was evident from her clothing. The girl's dress was very short, exposing her plump white legs. Farah thought to herself: "Here’s another traveler. Three more travelers and then on to Beirut. I can no longer bear to wait." She felt her body shiver at the mention of Beirut's name, as if this name clung to her like a naked woman.

Suddenly, the vehicle filled up. Three covered women sat in the back seat. They were dressed entirely in black and had sat in front of the driver, while the girl beside her sat in the seat by the window. The girl's mother, crying and restless, said goodbye to her. The girl, seemingly fed up with her mother's presence, glanced at the driver, hoping he would start moving sooner. Farah remembered her mother. Oh, how much she hated the moment of farewell when heavy and sticky words came out like chewed resin. Her mother never cried; with her rough hands, always covered in the soil of the fields, she would cover her face.