THE TRUE TRUE STORY OF RAJA THE GULLIBLE (AND HIS MOTHER)

GM Hakim narrates this witty, introspective audiobook set in Beirut, Lebanon. Raja, a gay 60-something teacher, lives in a cramped apartment with his opinionated mother, Zalfa. Raja's relationship with Zalfa is complex and tumultuous--but full of love. Zalfa's politically active life throws a wrench into Raja's quiet one. When he's offered a mysterious artist's residency in America, he reflects on the heartbreak and humiliation he's experienced in the last six decades. As Raja recounts the extreme circumstances he encountered during the Lebanese Civil War and the COVID-19 pandemic, Hakim narrates in a conversational style. His even pace and clear pronunciation create a fully immersive listening experience. C.R. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]