A Good Land

by Nada Awar Jarrar

Small truths, white lies; the many shades of friendship, all impacted by the harsh legacy of war…The old neighbourhood block in Beirut was home to an ever- changing population as the fighting intensified and lessened. But three people were almost always there. The older Polish woman, Margo, refugee from her past, her country and family after another war, spinning her tales of freedom fighters, itinerant peoples, despair and courage. And Lebanese born and bred Layla, only recently returned from Australia after fleeing the earlier civil war to teach her students again. Palestinian Kamal; refugee, writer and lecturer, whose cherished faith in a free, tolerant, democratic Lebanon has been shattered by difficulties of living there now. Among their friends are older politicians, university friends often visiting from lucrative posts in Europe or the USA, and local political activists.The retaliation raids by Israel and the political aftermath further shatter their some flee to the mountains, many leave the country. Some like Layla try to identify more deeply what it is that holds her to this place, why she cannot leave.Nada Awar Jarrar has written a powerful and moving novel, full of character and insight, of joy and tears, which makes us understand how people can stand such daily fear of violence and can continue to have faith in the country of their heart.

Genres: Lebanon, Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2008

About the author

Nada Awar Jarrar was born in Lebanon to an Australian mother and a Lebanese father. She has lived in London, Paris, Sydney and Washington DC and is currently based in Beirut where she lives with her husband and daughter. Her journalism has appeared in the Guardian, The Times, The Sydney Morning Herald and Lebanon's English language newspaper, The Daily Star. Her first novel, Somewhere, Home won the Commonwealth Best First Book award for Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

Reviews

[Dina Khatib · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We’re all in the same boat, waiting for a chance to go back home”

Set in 2005 downtown Beirut, Nada Jarrar’s third novel invites the reader to join the characters’ quest for belonging and their search for hope and certainty in a turbulent Lebanon. While echoing many universal diasporic themes, A Good Land sheds light on the diasporic representation and idea of ‘home’. According to the epigram by Viktor Frankl at the beginning of the novel:

“For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.”

Similar to the meaning of life, the meaning or the idea of home reformulates from one person to the other. It is not a physical place with four walls and a roof, nor is it a geographical patch on planet Earth. It is a moment in one’s life where everything fits so perfectly that s/he can step away from it at that precise moment, and feel the content of a person admiring a jigsaw puzzle that they have just completed. In that sense it’s only logical to assume that we are all in exile until we reach that moment of metaphoric belonging in our lives.

The genius and innovation of this novel is represented through the author’s choice of characters. Belonging to different generations, national backgrounds and religions, they all suffer from different types of exile (country, family, past) and they all represent very different periods of Lebanon as well as the unity in its people despite their differences.

Just like a time machine, this novel will take you on a ride through time and space, with multiple shifts in perspective which might seem like a disoriented, patched-up, mix of stories with obvious plot-holes to some people, but the savoring reader, will pick up on the subtle ways in which Jarrar connects the events and ties up loose endings.

Jarrar’s exquisite blend of simple and rich language paints vivid pictures of her beloved Lebanon; for the reader can almost picture the mountains, smell the coffee and taste the olive oil. She seasons the novel with Arabic words to a degree of aesthetic perfection that keeps the reader reminded of the novel’s setting. Overall, I think that this nostalgic novel is so beautifully written that its brilliant imagery leaves the readers with their heads slightly slanted and their minds enchanted.

[SOROR CH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a piece of art Seriously
The story is about Layla a diaspora girl who is lost and confused about who she is .
The book is a road map of finding and defining the self ...but it's not just about identity oh no..
It's about a whole new worlds .. cultures ... history ...war...love ... grief ...
It was super heard for me to like it at first because I was as lost as the character was ...she made me feel restless because I just wanted her to Snape out of it ...yet after more readings I felt that there is a beauty to her inner struggle
It's was just beautiful

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a simple tale, with a slow-moving narrative, I found that I enjoyed this novel simply because it exposed me to a new culture. After reading this book, I wanted to just rush out to the nearest Lebanese restaurant and order some 'labneh' or walk along the wharf trying to picture the vividly described scenes of daily life at the corniche. Scenes of the daily struggle faced by refugees from villages and daily life in the city where life must go on despite the war raging around it, will always remain etched in my mind. It was truly fascinating to view Beirut from the perspectives of four people from very different backgrounds.

[John Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book about a Lebanese woman named Layla who moves back to Beirut from Australia, a move her family can not understand, but she misses it too much. She forms two close relationships with two fellow apartment residents--Margo and Kamal. The novel brings out her strong connection to Beirut despite its instability and the close relationships between these three friends. A very satisfying book.

[Nina May Millikin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one although didn't think it was anything too special. Nicely written and easy to read.

[Baljit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel set in Beirut, Lebanon of how some v different individuals are thrown together and how thier lives evolve in a city which is often riddled with conflict and strife.

[Iryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed this book because it let me travel to the new country - Lebanon and exposed me to a new culture, well to be absolutely frank not completely new as I have found many common points between descriptions of Beirut before the civil war and Istanbul, as here in Turkey we all use labneh for breakfast and have coffee additictions.
This novel is about love to the country through three different stories of people not only from different cultures but different nations, genders and different religions. It is all about unconditional love though difficulties and even war...
When I was reading I was rememebering my native country Ukraine and on going war there as several years ago nobody were even in worst nightmare was thinking about such conditions. The narration is so comfort and so food for thought giving that I am definitely recommending it to read (do not mind rather low rating here on goodreads). You will become another person after you will finish this novel. I promise.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly boring dialogues, but interesting characters and settings. A glimpse into history and present day life of Beirut made me regret that I have never travelled to the Middle Eastern countries before. Now the new goal is set. Nopefully there will be peace!

[Carla Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had great potential with a fantastic story line, but really challenging way of writing and reading. The story doesn't interlink as nicely as it could have and the way that Margo's story was told didn't do it justice. Disappointing read.

[Catherine James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish it properly!

[Anusha · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most unique stories I've read. Conveyed the weight of the themes really well and struck so many chords. The mystery element in one of the character's backstories and the plot twist was really well written as well. The writing style felt a bit bland at times but everything else made up for it.

[Peachie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise -the story of Lebanon as told by various residents of one apartment building. Sounds intiguing, right? Alas, for me the story was slow-moving and cluttered with too many ponderous observations.

But what really made me give up on this book was the character Margo- she's so kind and wonderfully wise, completely mysterious and unrealistically saintly. What drove me over the edge was how Margo called her neighbor Layla 'sweetheart' in nearly every single line of dialogue. I know that's a petty complaint but, by page 50, I was so infuriated by Margo I wanted to smack her.

Those criticisms aside, there was some lovely prose here. I have high hopes for this author and will be on the lookout for her other novels.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel that shows the impact of war on people from different backgrounds using very deep meanings. It also helps us realize the bond to our country and how much it needs us as we it... This book conveys the real meaning of J.K Rowling's quote "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light".

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't find my may into this story which aimed to be a love story about the city of Beiirut as well as other reflections on love.

[Jumanah Zabaneh · Rating 1 out of 5]

A stupid book felt like reading a storybook from kindergarten

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about Lebanon but a bit slow.