There is a city breaking, Beirut; and a city withdrawn, Tripoli. There is rural community form the mountains, Christians, who are mobilized by, and perhaps even initiate, the violence. Lebanon’s communities are fighting their wars, and possibly others’ wars, with a lack of awareness and the unconsciousness of teenagers who, as long as they dream of their game, go on playing.

‏In ‪’‬Chased away‪’,‬ Jabbour Douaihy writes the life and death of a city‪…‬Then, as today, calls‪ and‬ claims for rights resound, and crime remains a constant‪…‬

‏ Jabbour Douaihy‪’‬s transparent writing style‪,‬ namely in the description of nature‪,‬ reminds me with the greatness of Japanese novels

In his novel “Chased away”, Jabbour Douaihy stirs the pains of those who witnessed the war and remember most of its beginning. But the novel’s significance remains that who does not fully belong to a Lebanese community is doomed to be rootless and rejected throughout his life, however short or long.

A novel like a shot from a pistol. Read this novel’s first page, and the passion will lead you to inevitably read on, full speed, your eyes driven on the lines in pursuit of the events.

L’Orient Littéraire, Beirut, Lebanon reviews Douaihy’s latest novel.
A portion of it is translated with Goole translate – full French review is found below.