Brought up in frustration and taboos, the narrator of Khaled Khalifa’s fresco, has, very young, praised hatred. She nourishes, cherishes this rage that gives her the strength to fight by the side of her islamist brother and uncle. It will take her years, and a passage through prison, to call into question these convictions that have caused such a bloodshed. Written with a precise language, a book on the Syria of the 1980s of infinite sadness.

Le Soir, May 27, 2011

Original French version below.

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Elevée dans la frustration et le non-dit, la narratrice de la fresque de Khaled Khalif a fait, très jeune, l’Eloge de la haine. Elle alimente, chérit cette rage qui lui donne la force de combattre aux côtés de ses frère et oncle islamistes. Il lui faudra des années, et un passage en prison, pour remettre en question ces convictions qui font couler tant de sang. Ecrit d’une plume précise, un roman-fleuve sur la Syrie des années 80, d’une tristesse infinie.