AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW

Rasha Zamamiri's exquisite portrayal of Salama, a young Syrian woman struggling to survive in her war-ravaged country, captures the depth of emotions this story requires. After the war takes her parents and brother, Salama's only remaining family is her beloved sister-in-law, Layla, who is pregnant. Salama, one of the city's few remaining medical professionals, is haunted by hallucinations of fear and by her burning need to help whomever she can. A chance encounter brings the possibility of love just as she prepares to leave Syria. Zamamiri's dramatic delivery grabs the listener's attention and takes it to a higher level. Her pacing and tone further entice the listener. A powerful narrative is made even more so by Zamamiri's captivating performance. A.L.S.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2022]