Beirut Blues

Beirut Blues is Hanan al-Shaykh's third novel. It is an intimate and engaging portrait of a young woman struggling to make sense of her life in war ravaged Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. It is told through Asmahan's letters, most of which may not reach their destination. The book was first published in 1992 in Arabic, only 2 years after the end of the civil war. The English translator is Catherine Cobham.Asmahan, the protagonist, is presented as a well-to-do independent woman who is able to sensualize the beauty of the land, the concept of home, and the country in itself, even in times of war. In 10 letters addressed to the people, places, and events that have shaped her life, Asmahan tries to decide whether to stay in her war-ravaged...