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Momentary Lapse of Reason: Memoires of a Lebanese

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Momentary Lapse of Reason: Memoires of a Lebanese

by Bassam Loucas

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	444 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	232 pages

In the tapestry of human experience, where threads of joy and sorrow, love and loss intertwine, there are moments that linger in our hearts, shaping the fabric of our lives. For the Lebanese people, the civil war that ravaged their country from 1975 to 1990 was one such moment, a profound and transformative event that left an enduring mark on their collective memory.

In her poignant and evocative memoir, Momentary Lapse of Reason: Memoires of a Lebanese, author Laila Halaby takes us on a deeply personal journey through this tumultuous period. With lyrical prose and a keen eye for detail, she paints a vivid and unflinching portrait of a country torn apart by sectarian violence, but also of the resilience and indomitable spirit of its people.

Laila's story begins in the idyllic coastal town of Batroun, where she spent her childhood amidst the warmth of family and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea. However, as the civil war erupted, her life was irrevocably shattered. Her family was forced to flee their home, and she witnessed firsthand the horrors of war: the destruction of her beloved hometown, the senseless killing of innocent civilians, and the disintegration of her once-vibrant community.

Despite the trauma she endured, Laila refused to succumb to despair. With courage and determination, she sought refuge in her writing, finding solace in the power of words to express the unspeakable. In her memoir, she weaves together vivid recollections of her wartime experiences with reflections on the broader historical and cultural context that shaped them.

Through Laila's eyes, we witness the Lebanese civil war not only as a political conflict, but also as a profound human tragedy that touched the lives of every Lebanese citizen. She writes of the loss of loved ones, the erosion of trust, and the deep wounds that continue to scar the country's psyche.

But Momentary Lapse of Reason is more than a mere account of wartime suffering. It is also a testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Lebanese people. Laila's story is filled with moments of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection.

She writes of the kindness of strangers who offered shelter and support to her family during their darkest hours. She recalls the camaraderie she shared with fellow refugees, finding solace in their shared experiences. And she celebrates the indomitable spirit of the Lebanese people, who, despite the horrors they endured, never lost sight of their dreams for a better future.

In the aftermath of the civil war, Laila returned to her hometown and dedicated herself to rebuilding her life and her community. She became a teacher, passing on her love of literature and her passion for peace to a new generation of Lebanese children.

Momentary Lapse of Reason is a powerful and moving memoir that offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on one of the most tumultuous periods in Lebanese history. Laila Halaby's writing is both lyrical and unflinching, capturing the beauty and the pain, the despair and the hope that characterized this extraordinary chapter in the life of a nation.

This book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand the complex history of Lebanon, the human cost of war, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Momentary Lapse of Reason: Memoires of a Lebanese

by Bassam Loucas

5 out of 5