Reading "As Long As Lemon Trees Grow" Novel in English (part 1)

Bismillah. 

 

📷 : sumber foto

 

Ini adalah novel pertama yang aku baca setelah gabung hellotalk. Jadi, salah satu hellotalk creator yang aku ikutin punya grup baca, dan salah satu novel yang dibaca adalah novel ini. Kebetulan saat itu aku juga tertarik baca novel ini karena lihat di perpustakaan AABS, baru baca bab 1. Karena dapet buku versi bahasa inggrisnya, dan memang aku ingin latihan baca lebih banyak buku berbahasa inggris, sekalian ningkatin ketrampilan bahasa inggris, akhirnya aku pilih untuk lanjut baca versi bahasa inggris.

 

Dan karena ada tempat buat nuangin pikiran refleksi dan pertanyaan, aku askhirnya melakukan versi nukil bukuku di chat dengan hellotalk content creator tersebut (Via). Nah, ini mumpung lagi ada waktu, aku mau nyalin di sini. Tulisannya akan full bahasa inggris, dan rawan spoiler ya, jadi yang belum baca, mungkin baca nukil bukunya sebagian-sebagian aja.

 

Disclaimer, there will be so many grammar mistakes as I write this down without any editing.

 

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Me: Can I read the book, and chat you if I have things I want to discuss of just rambled about the book?

 

Via: You can share anything you'd like! I'd be more than happy to discuss or listen to your rambing (:

 

Me: I just finished the 3 chapter of "As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow". Actually I kinda gasp the context of the chapter even without knowing each word's meaning. I always do that with English text. But as I read this with the intention of learning English, I need to take notes on new vocabulary and it's meaning. But the flow of reading kinda distracted if I need to check translator for every new words.

 

The Syria topic of the novel is close to my heart actually. I remember back in 2012, I heard the news and help to spread the news since many people seems to "hide" that. Especially since everyone at that time thought it was internal problem. But still humanity should make us move and at least help with dua.

 

Also the Khawf character. When I first read the first chapter, I thought he's human, and then afterward I try to imagine is that how people with mental disease suffer, cause I also have seen someone, who's on manic state and often halucinate and talk and shout to someone in her halucination.

 

But as I reach chapter 3, I think it's just how the author visualized the fear in Salama's mind and heart. I become aware that his name is Khawf which is Arabic word for fear.

 

Also.. one more thing *sorry I talk a lot V. I also like how Salama calm herself by reciting her memorization of flowers and its benefit as a cure. It's a new information I knew, I think I need to take notes on that.

 

Actually I happen to read a Korean book (onloy some pages). And the author also have the similar method to calm her nerves when she felt anxious and her chest hurt because her mental is shaking, but for this Korean author, she recite names of people beloved to her, to remind her that she is loved and give strength to her.

 

As I am into psychology stuff, it's an interesting for me. So this is one of people's way to calm nerves.

 

Via: It's a different vibe reading as a learner of that language. As a native I appreciate the story. As a learner I'd appreciate the new words. I hope you're fluent enough to appreciate the story. It's really good.

 

I'm glad you're familiar with the topic and still remember. It means all those who suffered all still remembered...in some way.

 

Yes, I only learned Khawf meant fear much later on, around chapter 12 because an Arabic speaker told me. Once you learn the meaning of the name it gives the character so much more significance. I thought it was just a negative character that haunts her. Once I was informed the name means fear, it became less of a monster and more of an extension of her.

 

Don't be sorry! I enjoy reading. Yes, even though the book isn't about psychology, it touches so many aspects of it. Coping mechanisms and psychological abnormalities (how it's experienced)

 

Me: I read both version actually (English and translation) so I could still appreciate the story and not missing important things. Part of me want to just read it as I usually read English book. I still undertsand it Alhamdulillah even if there's some new vocabs, we could always guess the meaning as long as you already got many exposure of English language content. But other part of me still want to take notes and stuff. Since I'm here for language learning. So maybe I'll just choose this way of reading. Slower and but with purpose.

 

Via: Yeah, whichever way suits you! I'm eager to read what you think of the later chapters! I didn't make much progress. I just finsihed chapter 33.

 

Me: Same lol. But thanks to you I just finished reading chapter 4. So far this is my fav chapter. I really love the bond between Salama and Layla. How they are friend but grow like sisters and become family through Hamza. I like the flicking nose, or braiding hair. I have a sister but we never do something like than, more like sibling-enemy love hate. This is TMI. Ignore it. Do you have any sister? 

 

Do you have any comment about Am character in the book? He's a gray character. I understand from Salama POV he's like someone who benefit from other's misfortune.

I become curious, is 4000 dollars to smuggle 2 people to German so expensive? Do you know how much it cost to travel normally to Syria?

I think from the first go, Am might be already a gray character before even the revolution. His job might be in shady area. That's why he still got connection so he can smuggle refugee. I also wonder why Germany? Why not Italy? Is Italy more strict to imigrant? I know Germany has low population and need more workers. I remember heard/read somewhere that even a college student has to fulfill some hours working part time.

 

Via: The character development is interesting in this book. I hope you get to experience it. Their bond is beautiful I agree. Haha, the information is nice to know. A bit of insight into your life. Yes I have 2 sisters. We get along well. 1 older and 1 younger.

 

I think gray character is wonderful word for him. I agree, anyone who so readily smuggles people has most likely been in the shady biz.

$4000 to escape a war torn country, is very cheap for our economy. In 2012 the dollar was pretty strong and I'm sure for Syrians it was a lot. Plus add the fact that they're essentially in an active war zone.. which means their economy has come to near halt. No more money coming in, only savings. Considering the circumtances, it's certainly expensive.

Right now it cost around $1.1k to travel to Syria, round-trip though.

I think they chose Germany because it had a better refugee system better than Italy did.

 

I love how in depth you read. I really hope you finish the book, There's a chapter I'm very curious on how you'll react, though it's a bit later in the book. I try to answer your questions without spoilers. I hope I answered them adequately. 

 

Me: Gray is wonderful word. So he might get darker. Hmm.. I think good of him and actually guess he'll reduce the price for Salama and Layla.

Talking about refugee I also remember reading Korean news about Syria refugee. They are placed at Jeju do, or other small island. But still there are rejection from the local people because of their fear of Islam and foreign people.

Which chapter? I actually could read fast if I don't read both version, or practice my pronounciation and searching for each words meaning. 

 

There's one more thing I want to comment on chapter 4. I like reading both Salama and Layla dreams before the revolution happen. Salama and her dream of collecting herb/plant as cure, it reflect on how her coping method by memorizing flowers and its benefit.

Also Layla on painting the blue of Norway. I don't know what to picture in my head, I mean, I know Norway is a beautiful country. But I haven't seen many Norway's scenery or famous tourist spot. Do you know what place in Norway that suit to narative that Layla said? Also.. Layla dreams kinda remind me of the 2nd book of the Author which is connected with the color Blue.

I also like Layla's response to things happened to her life. She's so much strong mentally compare to Salama. She'll be a good mother. I hope the Author will not make the character (Layla) died for the sake of growth for Salama character.

 

Via: Yeah, unfortunately xenophobia and ignorance are major aspects of humanity.

In the late 20's. There's no rush though. Whatever allows you to enjoy the read. I just meant I hope it's a journey we complete.

Yes, I like that too. It made me think about the dreams I had and have. How I take things for granted as well. I don't know the specific place in Norway but Norway is basically a coastal country, most of it is surrounded by blue and surely beautiful.

Wow, it just came out this year. I didn't know, thank you for mentioning that too!!

Yes, great dynamic between the characters! A few new characters will come later in the book too. 

 

Me: Sure I hope I complete it even if it's a slow pace.

 

To be continued. 

 

 

Wallahua'alam.