Season Of Betrayal: A Tense Historical Debut Where Betrayal and Survival Collide in 1983 Beirut's Civil War

by Margaret Lowrie Robertson

**DEBUT FICTION**  Lara McCauley never wanted to go to Beirut. But in 1983, when her husband’s career as a foreign correspondent brings her there in the midst of the civil war, she tries to make the best of it for the sake of her marriage. Unlike the other foreign visitors—most of whom are hard-charging journalists like her husband—Lara can’t seem to find her footing in the chaotic city. Although she’s relatively insulated from risk, she’s as terrified of the frequent eruptions of violence as she is ashamed of her fear. Bored, lonely, and afraid, Lara defies her increasingly bullying husband by befriending a mysterious Polish journalist and beginning to work part-time as a broadcast film editor. But she is an inexperienced player in a dangerous game. As the U.S. “mission of presence” in Lebanon rapidly morphs into something far more deadly, Lara unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences. Drawing on her years of experience as a foreign correspondent, Margaret Lowrie Robertson brings war-torn Beirut to life in this gripping debut.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2007

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn't think I could get into this book, a historical fiction about the wife of a journalist in war-torn 1983 Beirut. I had never been interested in the conflicts in the Middle East at that time. But am I ever glad I stayed with it! While most of the characters were fictional (some were not) the events are based on actual history. This gave me a birdseye view of what it was like for civilian journalists from many different countries who covered the war . Just walking down the sidewalk was taking your life in your hands, and there was rubble and destroyed buildings everywhere.
The plot of this story was captivating. The quiet naive wife of an American journalist who was only there to follow her husband had to make her own way while he was addicted to the war, the reporting, the danger, and came home only to bully his wife and at times physically abuse her.
I highly recommend this book, not only for the historical account of Beirut, but also the fascinating story of one woman who didn't belong over there, yet learned to cope.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was read for my 2016 Reading Challenge Around the World in 80 Books

I picked this "bargain" book up on a whim, partly because of the plot description but mostly because I didn’t have one selected for Lebanon yet. And I was pleasantly surprised. Season of Betrayal by Margaret Lowrie Robertson is exactly how I enjoy my historical fiction. Well known events & landmarks with loads of context & understanding carried along by a compelling narrative. The story is not a new one, it’s ultimately the story of a marriage at war while living in a country at war. Lebanon in the 1980’s was a tumultuous place to call home, which is exactly where Lara and Mac find themselves as journalists during the Lebanon Civil War. Mac is the go-getter journalist from the moment they arrive in country, chasing leads and crafting the story. Lara came to Lebanon as his supportive wife, but fear is the only emotion Lara is experiencing. Gunshots, shell bombs, explosions, and death become constants in their lives. While Mac is energized into the fray, Lara turns to hide. While the buildings crumble around them, their marriage begins to crack as well.

Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s extremely readable, and a quick read at that. The story is written with Lara as the narrator, from the future. My one complaint about the writing is that it’s a little heavy handed on the foreshadowing. Lots of “little did he know that in just a few months….” or “I see this now, after his death…”. The reader quickly realizes that things fall apart in Lara’s life in Lebanon, so we are discovering the journey of getting there. All in all, I really liked this book.

[Biggirlblue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first experience with journalist and author Margaret Lowrie Robertson. Season of Betrayal is an appropriate title. There was more betrayal within the pages than I expected; than the obvious, and it was a long season. This book is more than a story about the infidelities and woes of a married couple (although their acts have a great impact on the world they inhabit). Robertson has painted an interesting character study surrounded by the atmosphere of foreign journalism, as well as giving Beirut and its people a face, albeit distant. Throughout she has the reader wondering how they would react under similar circumstances. She is an interesting story teller and I highly recommend reading Season of Betrayal.

[Kate McDonough · Rating 4 out of 5]

set in beirut in the mid 80’s during the civil war. not really knowing much about this time in history, i found the story fascinating. for me, it overshadowed what was happening to the main characters in the book. the unraveling of a marriage that seemed better fit to unravel. i do highly recommend this one, only because not a lot happens in the beginning but it got my attention from the first page.

[Michelle Shrader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning was confusing g as too .mb any characters introduced, journalists from all different media. Story takes place in Beirut where all these journalists live, waiting to be the 1st on the scene of the latest bombing. Once you get beyond all the intros the story begins to u fold with a married couple, him being the journalist, Mac. His wife Lara seems along for the ride. Their marriage, if that's what they call it, struggles from many factors. Ok read.

[Beverlee Couillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3 stars is for the fine writing. This book primarily, for me, was a very well written history of our stupid interference in the war in Lebanon. It was a vicious war, and we never should have been there; it certainly should have been a warning for us to stay out of the middle east. The author knows her stuff about this war, and you feel every shot, every explosion as if you were there. However, there isn't a single major character in this book I liked. Talk about flawed people. Granted, having characters with flaws they overcome and grow is wonderful. That does not happen in this story. By the time Laura, the protagonist (who is afraid of everything) has finally had enough of the brutal, verbal and public degradation of her, and she finally decides she's had enough, he is killed...saves her from actually having to FINALLY leave him. I just got so weary of her; I kept thinking, "Well, go home, already." He is one of the ugliest men I've read about in years. Not physically, of course, but in every other way. I did enjoy how the journalists were portrayed, and gave me an insight into the difficulty and danger of reporting a war while living in the middle of it. Like many books I haven't really cared for this year, I've stuck with it because of the fine writing.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beruit 1983 - based around foreign journalists. Largely about an American journalist who is a complete jerk. He is arrogant and abusive to his wife, which was frustrating to read about. She is the main character and is admidtedly naive. The war factions were as confusing to me as ever, but it was an interesting look into something I have little understanding of. Yes, much of this was about the interpersonal stories and the relationship of one informant to the American journalist and his wife.
I enjoyed reading this -- even though Mac just makes me angry.
Sure this could have been written in many other ways, but it's fiction written by a news correspondent so there is authenticity to it which I appreciate as well, and I really did enjoy this. I suspect this will be a silent creeper in my memory and stick with me.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Margaret Lowrie Robertson, a foreign correspondent who did a stint in Beruit, does a credible job conveying the chaos and intrigue of civil war and the subculture of the reporters who cover the story. On nearly every other level Season of Betrayal leaves much to be desired. The prognosis is definitely not good when a reader fails to connect with the main character, especially when the novel is written in the first person. I never warmed up to Lara, the abused wife of a loutish American reporter. Lara's affair with a mysterious Polish exile who is most likely gay, and her encounters with her husbands' lover who is also the lover of a powerful war lord move this into soap opera territory. All in all a disappointing read.

[Judy Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in my Kindle. Don't even remember how I came by it. But it was there when I needed a good read. And it really surprised me! The development of the story itself was very clever and well done. It seems as though it's going to be a cliche, but there's none of that. However I was particularly fascinated by the nuanced political developments in Lebanon in 1983. They are so simply presented, yet so chilling given our current situation. I also have an acquaintance who came from Beirut around that time and I now have a much better understanding of what she went through.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to read this book but just could not get past page 50. I found it to be incredibly boring and the writing was very juvenile - not simple, I don't mind simple, but as if a 13 year old wrote it. Don't read it!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember it very well, but I found my thoughts on it a year ago and they reveal the following:
"An excellent feminist read, nice messing with the ideas of good and evil."
Brief, but the comments seem pretty much in line with my fondness for any deconstruction in literature.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this.....take a great storyline and add to it the setting of Beirut in the early 1980's......great read.......amazing to be shown how little has changed in Beirut and that area since then. So interesting to live it through this novel.

[Talmadgenardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, kind of trashy reading for the ellipse machine. Interesting because it takes place in Beirut (on some of the same streets I walked on!)

[Fuschia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beirut stuff interesting. Romance/story pretty bad.

[Jackie]

This book was different from the type of book that I usually read. I don't know much about the middle east. I did enjoy the book.