Love and life in war-torn Beirut

Told through the eyes of 10-year-old Ruba, it immediately throws the reader into a world that would trouble even the hardiest of characters.

Her father is permanently depressed and refuses to even open his shop, much to the anger of his wife, who has to look after him and the rest of the household on what little savings that they have left.

Ruba's brother, meanwhile, is becoming more and more distant from the family and appears to have become caught up in the sectarian warfare that has now engulfed this once peaceful and tolerant society.

The return from Beirut of much-loved Uncle Wadih gives everyone hope for the future, but revelations about his own involvements and the sudden appearance of Israeli soldiers on the scene open up an outcome that no-one could possibly have predicted.

Don't expect positive portrayals of the leftist, secular and Palestinian groups active at the time, because, quite frankly, there aren't any. Do expect a well-written and semi-biographical novel that deals with love, struggle and possible redemption.

STEVE ANDREW