Zahra’s mother uses her as a cover for her meetings with a lover; Zahra’s strict father mistreats her for being complicit in her mother’s affair. Fleeing from Beirut in search of solace, Zahra stays with her uncle in West Africa—and then uses marriage as another kind of escape. Back in Beirut, love finally comes to her, but with terrible consequences. Banned in several Middle Eastern countries since its original publication, The Story of Zahra is an intoxicating, provocative story of a young woman’s coming of age in a city torn apart by war.
"The Story Of Zahra is a classic by any standards."--Village Voice Literary Supplement.
"This rich tale mesmerizes with its frank sexuality and scenes of war-torn Beirut."--Publishers Weekly.
Zahra’s mother uses her as a cover for her meetings with a lover; Zahra’s strict father mistreats her for being complicit in her mother’s affair. Fleeing from Beirut in search of solace, Zahra stays with her uncle in West Africa—and then uses marriage as another kind of escape. Back in Beirut, love finally comes to her, but with terrible consequences. Banned in several Middle Eastern countries since its original publication, The Story of Zahra is an intoxicating, provocative story of a young woman’s coming of age in a city torn apart by war.
Praise
"The Story Of Zahra is a classic by any standards."--Village Voice Literary Supplement.
"This rich tale mesmerizes with its frank sexuality and scenes of war-torn Beirut."--Publishers Weekly.
