Leaving Beirut

by Mai Ghoussoub

Overview

A twelve-year-old girl writes an essay that extols revenge to impress her teacher, and is surprised to receive criticism rather than praise. 'Revenge', Mrs Nomy insists, is 'the most cowardly' human behaviour. Years later, having fled Beirut, she reflects upon the devastating role revenge has played in her country. Might she have found it so easy to forgive if she had stayed? Or might she, too, have contemplated retribution? A compelling and humane book, which abounds in courage and compassion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780863565694
Publisher:	Saqi Books
Publication date:	05/22/2014
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	188
File size:	417 KB

About the Author

Mai Ghoussoub is the author of Leaving Beirut: Women and the Wars Within as well as numerous articles on culture, aesthetics and Middle Eastern issues for international journals.

Table of Contents

Foreword   Maggie Gee     9
A Kind of Madness     15
Madame Nomy's Lesson     29
An Uneasy Peace     33
Masrah Farouk     39
Honour and Shame     47
The Revenge of Leila's Grandmother     55
The Heroism of Umm Ali     65
The Metamorphosis of Said     79
Kirsten's Power     89
On Being Judged     99
Noha's Quest and the Passion of Flora     105
Traitors and Conquerors     121
Symbols with Shaven Heads     139
Homelands     149
Responsibility, Truth and Punishment     155