As Long As The Lemon🍋 Trees Grow

By: Shruti Gupta

3rd year, BA(Hons.) Sociology

Design: Ragini

" I AM OWED A LIFE THAT DOES NOT END IN TRAGEDY. "

Conflict stories usually make us think about ruin and hopelessness. However, Zoulfa Katouh’s 'As long as the Lemon Trees Grow' shows strength, love, and hope in a time of conflict.

The story begins with Salama, a young pharmacy student who once dreamed of a peaceful future, filled with familiar sights and sounds of Syria. But one day, everything changed. A revolution broke out in her country, tearing apart the world she loved. With the war taking place around her, she is in a hospital, working to save humans and also, fighting to save herself.

She is torn between doing her job and saving her life while working in a busy hospital, in the middle of a war. Should she leave and save herself or stay and speak for those who cannot leave Syria? No one has to face such a choice, but ultimately it shapes her life.

The book teaches a strong lesson through Salam’s experience as a Syrian refugee; that true resilience is to cling to that which brings joy, not merely survive. Even during a war, you can have a comforting friendship, bravery in standing up for others and love.

Kenan, a young boy armed with a camera and a quiet resilience, embodies this unyielding hope. His existence serves as a testament that love isn't diminished by war—it persists, even in brief instances. 

The rich and vibrant imagery in Katouh's writing, like the scent of lemon blossoms, the hustle and bustle of a lively market, and the unsettling stillness before calamity strikes, is breathtaking and evocative, bringing Syria to life. Emotion saturates every page, allowing the reader to feel the sorrow of leaving a home that will never return to its former state as well as the immediacy of escaping.

Nonetheless, the central theme of the novel—that humanity shines brightest in its most challenging times—is a lasting one. It tells a story of an unyielding commitment to love, aspire, and maintain hope against all challenges; As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow transcends a mere account of conflict.

This deeply moving and unforgettable book highlights that, regardless of how burdensome life may become, there will always be something—or someone—valuable to hold onto.<3