Book Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, War, Young Adult, Young Adult Contemporary Lewat narasinya yang ditulis dengan indah dan penuh emosi, Katouh melalui Salama berusaha menyampaikan realisme situasi konflik Suriah secara langsung tanpa ada bumbu pemanis sedikit pun. Katouh tanpa ragu-ragu menggambarkan situasi Salama berpacu dengan waktu untuk menyelamatkan nyawa ratusan pasien dengan keadaan terburuknya. Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She had a normal teenager's life.

this was such a beautiful, heartfelt story. it is so eye opening for many who are unaware of what goes on in syria and countries like it. Whatever happens tomorrow, we’ll be okay. Even if…” He takes in a deep breath and presses his forehead against mine. “Know that even in death, you’re my life.”

the sweetest character. he made a million studio ghibli movies <3 he teaches you to fight for what you believe in, to fight for your country and your people. but he also teaches you that love for your family can overpower the love for your country and to not feel guilty about it because you can carry the love with you wherever you go. this blanket of darkness isn’t our forever. their evil isn’t forever. not as long as we have our faith and syria’s history running in our veins.” The Syrian revolution began in 2011 with an uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In 2011 I was aware of what was going on. I had an idea of what was happening. We all had an “idea” what was taking place in Syria at this time. But like most people thinking about it too long made that “idea” uncomfortable. I knew it was heartbreaking and I knew I was upset about it. There was so much happening in the world at that time that most of us were becoming desensitized toward everything..

Jika berbicara mengenai konflik bersenjata di Suriah, dunia kerap kali menggambarkannya sebagai perang saudara. Penjelasan dari Wikipedia atau dalam berbagai pemberitaan media nasional dan internasional jadi buktinya. Penyebab meletusnya konflik bersenjata ini pun seringkali direduksi menjadi perseteruan Sunni-Syiah. Media Merdeka misalnya jadi salah satu media Indonesia yang memberitakan penyebab konflik di Suriah berawal dari propaganda isu sektarian antara Sunni dan Syiah.

This is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won't stop us. I have God, he'll protect me. I've been force fed oppression but I will no longer swallow its bitter taste." Tak mengherankan jika kemudian Salama pun acap kali mengalami berbagai masalah mental. Ia mulai berhalusinasi, kesulitan tidur, hingga bisa tiba-tiba terdiam dengan tatapan kosong. Khawf (dalam bahasa Arab berarti rasa takut) pun hadir dalam manifestasinya terhadap trauma besar yang ia alami. Trauma yang melebihi PTSD dan kini punya istilah sendiri, Human Devastation Syndrome atau Sindrom Kehancuran Manusia.

Definitely need to reread when it comes out because apparently there are little things I missed (you wouldn't believe it, her mind !!) A Canadian national with Syrian parents, Katouh split her childhood between Dubai and Switzerland, where she found that she was on the receiving end of a lot of questions about Syria and the war. She felt duty-bound to serve her fellow Syrians, even if it was from a distance. The main character Salma which deserves the whole world and more, Kenan and his siblings, the powerful message this story carries, the astronomical amount of tears I shed while reading it. Seriously, I cried at almost every chapter, but it was so worth it at the end. A very satisfying end. And now, with everything that’s happened, my responsibility and the only family I have left in the world.But it’s not that anymore. Layla’s home has lost its spark, the colors completely faded, leaving a sunken gray shade in their wake. It’s a husk of a home. Even though the memories ache, it’s the only way we get to see our loved ones—replaying their words to us, letting our imaginations magnify or soften their voices however we please.” Untuk menyeimbangkan narasi nasionalisme masyarakat Suriah atas negerinya, Koutuh juga tak lupa untuk memberikan penghargaan bagi para pengungsi Suriah. Ia paham bagaimana perlawanan terhadap rezim Assad tak hanya hadir lewat satu cara perlawanan saja, tetap tinggal di Suriah. Perlawanan juga hadir lewat cara bertahan hidup dengan mencari suaka di negara lain. In this story, we find ourselves in a real place, Homs, Syria. This city has been shattered by the Civil War that started in Syria as a revolution in 2011. And that is also the time when the action of the book happens - at the dawn of said revolution. That's when Salama, an eighteen-year-old pharmacy student finds herself in the position of a war nurse, trying to help the victims of terrorism still have a chance to live in sordid times and hazards. These stories have happened. And are still happening as you read these words." (from the author's note)

kenan & salama <3 and their love for studio ghibli, their country, their people, and themselves. how they stayed so courageous during all the pain they endured is so admirable.

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Sindrom Kehancuran Manusia sendiri adalah istilah yang diciptakan oleh ahli neuropsikologi medis Mohammad Khalid Hamza dari Syrian American Medical Society pada tahun 2016. Dilansir dari laporan khusus VOA tentang pengungsi Suriah, istilah ini dicetuskan oleh Hamza lantaran melihat dan meneliti bagaimana trauma yang dimiliki oleh korban konflik Suriah begitu besar hingga istilah PTSD pun tidak cukup menggambarkan trauma dan kerusakan mental yang dialami korban.