As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow By Zoulfa Katouh

About As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow is a young adult novel by Zoulfa Katouh, set in Syria during the revolution. It was published in September 2022 and is the author’s debut. The story follows Salama, an eighteen-year-old who was a pharmacy student when the revolution began. She has lost her parents and her brother, and now she volunteers at a hospital in Homs, where she helps the wounded in any way she can. Her pregnant sister-in-law wants to leave Syria, and Salama must decide whether to stay or to flee with her.

Along the way, Salama is haunted by a figure named Khawf, the embodiment of her fear, and she meets a boy named Kenan. The novel is about grief, courage, loyalty and the way ordinary people hold on to hope in war.

Why readers love it

• A moving story of survival, love and loyalty in the Syrian war
• Muslim characters at the centre of the story, with a gentle, respectful romance
• An author with a Syrian heritage, writing with deep feeling
• A fast, emotional read that stays with readers long after the last page

About the author

Zoulfa Katouh is a Canadian author of Syrian heritage, born in Calgary in 1994 and raised between Dubai and Switzerland. She holds a master’s degree in drug sciences, and As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow is her debut novel. It won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award in 2023 and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Awards the same year.

A note on content

This is a young adult novel about war. It deals honestly with violence, loss and trauma, and some scenes are heavy. We suggest it for mature teenagers and adult readers, and parents may like to read it first.

Who should read this book

The novel suits teenagers and adults who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction, readers who want to understand the human side of the Syrian conflict and book clubs looking for a story that sparks conversation. It is also a good gift for a reader who enjoys serious young adult fiction.

Why stories about war matter

News reports give numbers, but novels give faces. A story like Salama’s helps readers feel what it is to lose home and family, and to choose between staying and leaving. Many readers say that a novel of this kind makes them more grateful for safety, and more ready to help people who are displaced.

A story for book clubs and families

Novels like this are best shared. Readers often say they finished the book in a few days and then wanted to talk about it. It works well for school and college reading groups, for mother-daughter reading and for book clubs who want a story that raises questions about loyalty, fear and hope. A reader who enjoys it may also like other stories of war and displacement told through a young person’s eyes.

Edition details

Title: As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow. Author: Zoulfa Katouh. Language: English. Genre: young adult fiction. Sold by Lafz Bookstore with delivery across India.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story set? In Syria, during the revolution, mostly in Homs.

Is it for young readers? It is a young adult novel with mature themes, so we suggest older teenagers and adults.

Is it the author’s first book? Yes, it is her debut novel.

Does the story have a hopeful side? Yes. Although it deals with war and loss, the book is also about love, friendship and the courage to hold on to hope, which is why many readers find it moving rather than only sad.

Looking for more books like this? Browse our English Literature collection or explore all Literature & Fiction. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.