Author: Zoulfa Katoah 

Started: September 8, 2024 

Finished: September 9, 2024 

Format: Print 

Genre: Speculative Fiction 

 

Salama is a pharmacist forced to behave as a doctor in modern day Syria. She volunteers at a local hospital but is looking for a way to keep the promise she made to her brother to leave Syria with his wife. As she is preparing to leave, she meets the man who might have been her husband and allows fate to play its part. Salama is determined to leave Syria and take those she loves with her. 

 

This one of the best I've read in some time. Salama is well-written and deeply expressed. As we follow along on her day-to-day work at the hospital we can image the carnage she sees and feel her helplessness at not being able to save everyone. Salama is also a firm lesson in how far your mind will go in trying to protect itself from trauma. This book made me gasp, made my heart race, and made me smile. Most importantly, this book gave me a glimpse into the Syrian revolution and how important Syria is to its people.