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Between Beirut and the Moon
A young boy comes of age within the confines of post-civil-war Beirut, with conflict and comedy lurking around every corner.
Adam dreams of becoming an astronaut but who has ever heard of an Arab on the moon? He battles with his father, a book-hoarding journalist with a penchant for writing eulogies, his closest friend, Basil, a Druze who is said to worship goats and believe in reincarnation, and a host of other misfits and miscreants in a city attempting to recover from years of political and military violence.
Adam's youth oscillates from laugh out loud escapades, to near death encounters, as he struggles to understand the turbulent and elusive city he calls home.
Adam dreams of becoming an astronaut but who has ever heard of an Arab on the moon? He battles with his father, a book-hoarding journalist with a penchant for writing eulogies, his closest friend, Basil, a Druze who is said to worship goats and believe in reincarnation, and a host of other misfits and miscreants in a city attempting to recover from years of political and military violence.
Adam's youth oscillates from laugh out loud escapades, to near death encounters, as he struggles to understand the turbulent and elusive city he calls home.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2020
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June 4, 2021
Shortlisted for the 2021 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comic fiction
'Become a teacher. And teach about going to the moon. Become a writer. Write about going to the moon.'
'I don't want to write about astronauts going to the moon. I want to be one.'
'Write in the first person then.'
Between Beirut and the Moon is a evocatively drawn, darkly comic, episodic coming-of-age novel set in post civil war Beirut around 2006-9. The novel comes with a blurb from Roddy Doyle, and the author has acknowledged the influence of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha on the style of the book.
The opening pages of the novel explain a local colloquism, used extensively by the narrator's father, with a representative, and unfortunately timely when read in August 2020, example:
Mother and father' is a colloquial term used in Lebanon to express the idea of something whole or complete.
For instance, the weight of the explosion knocked the man, mother and father, right out of the window, as men in Beirut occasionally are; or the building collapsed, mother and father, to the ground, as buildings in Beirut occasionally do.
And in an interview about the book published on 30 July (https://www.thelondonmagazine.org/int...) the author said about Lebanon:
Unfortunately what came very quickly was another tragedy just five days later, on August 4th, when Beirut was devasted by the large explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in the port, something the author addressed in an interviews later in August - see https://www.thenational.ae/arts-cultu... and https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/bo...
The novel is narrated in the first person by Adam Najjar (tragically the youngest victim of the August 4th explosion, aged just 3, shared Adam's surname). As the novel opens he is in his early teens. His mother is Christian, but his father Muslim giving the family a rather cynical view of the many different factions, religious and political, into which the city is divided. As Adam notes of one of his friends who is trying to sow sectarian discord:
I imagined that he was an alien life form which I had come across in one of my journeys to outer space, whose sole aim was to spread a disease that would divide the entire human race into tiny little groups of men and women which fought endlessly amongst themselves and achieved progress only sporadically.
Adam dreams of becoming an astronaut, dreams his mother encourages, while his rather more cynical father tries to make Adam see the reality.
'Don't be ridiculous', he'd say, 'who ever heard of an Arab on the moon?'
'I'd be the first one,' I replied at once, instead of taking the usual route of trying to look as non-ridiculous as possible, for my father's liking.
'You're flat footed. They don't allow flat-footed Arabs on the moon,' he remarked casually, his face hidden behind the morning's An-Nahar Daily, 'it's illegal.'
'Who said?'
'Jesus-Mohammed-Christ said, that's who.'
(another favourite phrase of his father, although later we discover its origin lies with Adam's mother)
Adam's striving for outer space is a symbol of his coming of age, but also his and the city's desire to carve out a peaceful space for themselves. Many of the anecdotes in the episodic novel are conventional tales of adolescence (and this is a less dark tale in that regard than Rawi Hage's International Dublin Literary Award winning De Niro's Game), but one told against a chaotic background of complex sectarian divides, political instability, car bombs, kidnappings and including the 2006 July War:
It was the war of ’67 or ’82 or ’00 or ’06 and Israel and Lebanon were at it again. I, like my father before me and his father before him, were crouched inside the safest room in the house beside my family and hoping that no RPG rocket or bomb would land on my home.
Adam's father is a bibliophile and hoarder of books, and a journalist but one who increasingly only writes obituaries, reflecting his increasingly gloomy view on the prospects for the country.
I curse the country that presented our children with two alternatives: death or immigration and instructed them to pick between the two.
I curse the country that forced its parents to send their children to outer space, or worse Europe, and wave silently from afar.
I curse the country that made fools of us all and led us to believe that we would grow old watching our sons amongst their fellow countrymen.
The author wrote the novel while in the UK studying creative writing, indeed it formed part of his thesis (http://www.research.lancs.ac.uk/porta...). As well as the physical distance from Beirut, the book was written in English, his second language, and there is additional distancing in that the author's experience of the trauma of Lebanon is 'mostly inherited rather than experienced'. The book is also, explicitly, one aimed at introducing the reader to Beirut
Recommended - and it was wonderful also to see the publisher donating part of the novel's proceeds to a non-sectarian Lebanese NGO working to help those affected.
Highly worthwhile
Reading by the author:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUpBF...
'Become a teacher. And teach about going to the moon. Become a writer. Write about going to the moon.'
'I don't want to write about astronauts going to the moon. I want to be one.'
'Write in the first person then.'
Between Beirut and the Moon is a evocatively drawn, darkly comic, episodic coming-of-age novel set in post civil war Beirut around 2006-9. The novel comes with a blurb from Roddy Doyle, and the author has acknowledged the influence of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha on the style of the book.
The opening pages of the novel explain a local colloquism, used extensively by the narrator's father, with a representative, and unfortunately timely when read in August 2020, example:
Mother and father' is a colloquial term used in Lebanon to express the idea of something whole or complete.
For instance, the weight of the explosion knocked the man, mother and father, right out of the window, as men in Beirut occasionally are; or the building collapsed, mother and father, to the ground, as buildings in Beirut occasionally do.
And in an interview about the book published on 30 July (https://www.thelondonmagazine.org/int...) the author said about Lebanon:
It is very difficult at this point in time to be optimistic, about a lot of things. But I’d certainly say I’m hopeful. Right now, there is a sense that Lebanon is at its worst. It’s in a place where, if change were to come, it would need to do so very quickly.
Unfortunately what came very quickly was another tragedy just five days later, on August 4th, when Beirut was devasted by the large explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in the port, something the author addressed in an interviews later in August - see https://www.thenational.ae/arts-cultu... and https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/bo...
The novel is narrated in the first person by Adam Najjar (tragically the youngest victim of the August 4th explosion, aged just 3, shared Adam's surname). As the novel opens he is in his early teens. His mother is Christian, but his father Muslim giving the family a rather cynical view of the many different factions, religious and political, into which the city is divided. As Adam notes of one of his friends who is trying to sow sectarian discord:
I imagined that he was an alien life form which I had come across in one of my journeys to outer space, whose sole aim was to spread a disease that would divide the entire human race into tiny little groups of men and women which fought endlessly amongst themselves and achieved progress only sporadically.
Adam dreams of becoming an astronaut, dreams his mother encourages, while his rather more cynical father tries to make Adam see the reality.
'Don't be ridiculous', he'd say, 'who ever heard of an Arab on the moon?'
'I'd be the first one,' I replied at once, instead of taking the usual route of trying to look as non-ridiculous as possible, for my father's liking.
'You're flat footed. They don't allow flat-footed Arabs on the moon,' he remarked casually, his face hidden behind the morning's An-Nahar Daily, 'it's illegal.'
'Who said?'
'Jesus-Mohammed-Christ said, that's who.'
(another favourite phrase of his father, although later we discover its origin lies with Adam's mother)
Adam's striving for outer space is a symbol of his coming of age, but also his and the city's desire to carve out a peaceful space for themselves. Many of the anecdotes in the episodic novel are conventional tales of adolescence (and this is a less dark tale in that regard than Rawi Hage's International Dublin Literary Award winning De Niro's Game), but one told against a chaotic background of complex sectarian divides, political instability, car bombs, kidnappings and including the 2006 July War:
It was the war of ’67 or ’82 or ’00 or ’06 and Israel and Lebanon were at it again. I, like my father before me and his father before him, were crouched inside the safest room in the house beside my family and hoping that no RPG rocket or bomb would land on my home.
Adam's father is a bibliophile and hoarder of books, and a journalist but one who increasingly only writes obituaries, reflecting his increasingly gloomy view on the prospects for the country.
I curse the country that presented our children with two alternatives: death or immigration and instructed them to pick between the two.
I curse the country that forced its parents to send their children to outer space, or worse Europe, and wave silently from afar.
I curse the country that made fools of us all and led us to believe that we would grow old watching our sons amongst their fellow countrymen.
The author wrote the novel while in the UK studying creative writing, indeed it formed part of his thesis (http://www.research.lancs.ac.uk/porta...). As well as the physical distance from Beirut, the book was written in English, his second language, and there is additional distancing in that the author's experience of the trauma of Lebanon is 'mostly inherited rather than experienced'. The book is also, explicitly, one aimed at introducing the reader to Beirut
Part of writing this book was the idea of reclaiming the narrative — or claiming it: of being someone from a particular part of the world who wants to have a role in shaping that narrative, and to communicate with the Anglophone readership. Which is why the novel was written in English, my second language. It’s an attempt to reach out to the rest of the world and tell a story that not too many Anglophone readers would have come across before. Hopefully you can see that with the narrator, the way he is constantly ‘Arab-splaining’ and ‘Leb-splaining’: stopping to break the fourth wall and address the audience, and very much aware of that gap between the world the narrator lives in and the world the presumed reader might live in.
Recommended - and it was wonderful also to see the publisher donating part of the novel's proceeds to a non-sectarian Lebanese NGO working to help those affected.
Highly worthwhile
Reading by the author:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUpBF...
Read
September 7, 2020A sort of bildungsroman about the narrator growing up in Beirut and his chaotic life in what ought to be one of the most diverse and beautiful cities in the world, all fucked up by sectarian and political violence and corruption.
As with most bildungsroman it's not plot-driven or a very linear structure, you just have to kind of let the events and memories wash over you in waves along with the narrator. It's compelling and tragic and funny and very much a love letter to Lebanon, a country that deserves so much better than it's had, while never letting you forget that teenagers are all the same (ie awful).
As with most bildungsroman it's not plot-driven or a very linear structure, you just have to kind of let the events and memories wash over you in waves along with the narrator. It's compelling and tragic and funny and very much a love letter to Lebanon, a country that deserves so much better than it's had, while never letting you forget that teenagers are all the same (ie awful).
August 25, 2020
“I curse the country that presented our children with two alternatives: death or immigration and instructed them to pick between the two.
I curse the country that forced its parents to send their children to outer space, or worse Europe, and wave silently from afar.
I curse the country that gave our children water but no future, soil but no belief, light but no hope.”
This book is a love letter to Beirut.
In all frankness the author beautifully highlights the reality of life in a volatile environment.
The writing is quirky, humorous and witty.
The political and religious tensions make for very atmospheric writing and Bakhti tackles heavy subjects of war and destruction with such lightness while still managing to convey its seriousness and the devastation it causes.
A brilliant debut novel!
“I curse the country that stripped our children of their parents, and us of them.
I curse the country that made fools of us all and led us to believe that we would grow old watching our sons amongst their fellow countrymen.
I curse the country that robbed me of my afternoon Arak with my son.
I curse the country that deprived me of the sight of his wispy beard slowly maturing into one which resembles my own.
I curse the country that resigned my wife and I to that comfortable couch in the living room, staring past broken chards of glass into the empty void that is tomorrow.
I curse the country, mother and father.”
Beautiful, beautiful writing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I curse the country that forced its parents to send their children to outer space, or worse Europe, and wave silently from afar.
I curse the country that gave our children water but no future, soil but no belief, light but no hope.”
This book is a love letter to Beirut.
In all frankness the author beautifully highlights the reality of life in a volatile environment.
The writing is quirky, humorous and witty.
The political and religious tensions make for very atmospheric writing and Bakhti tackles heavy subjects of war and destruction with such lightness while still managing to convey its seriousness and the devastation it causes.
A brilliant debut novel!
“I curse the country that stripped our children of their parents, and us of them.
I curse the country that made fools of us all and led us to believe that we would grow old watching our sons amongst their fellow countrymen.
I curse the country that robbed me of my afternoon Arak with my son.
I curse the country that deprived me of the sight of his wispy beard slowly maturing into one which resembles my own.
I curse the country that resigned my wife and I to that comfortable couch in the living room, staring past broken chards of glass into the empty void that is tomorrow.
I curse the country, mother and father.”
Beautiful, beautiful writing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
January 18, 2021
(3.5 stars)
Between Beirut and the Moon is the debut novel from Lebanese author A. Naji Bakhti. Set in post-civil war Beirut, the story follows the adventures of Adam and his friends as they grow up in a city decimated by conflict. Blurring the boundaries between the mundane and political violence, this episodic novel is a darkly comic coming-of-age story about a little boy who dreams of becoming the first Arab on the moon.
From the very first page, readers of this novel are transported to Beirut in all its glory and turmoil. The opening chapter begins with Bakhti explaining a Lebanese colloquialism ‘mother and father’ meaning whole or complete, and throughout the novel, he frequently breaks the fourth wall to explain meaning to his readers. I was fascinated to learn about the etymology of Lebanese phrases, and this colloquialism really set the focus of the novel, for the conflict in Beirut is divisive but equally uniting in the fact that it impacts an entire nation.
The novel’s plot was less linear than I was expecting, and it jumps about a lot between different anecdotes which are conventional of youth: arguments with his parents; getting into trouble at school; attempting to flirt with girls and underage drinking. Yet these everyday occurrences of Adam’s childhood are set against the turbulence of war with death lurking at every corner. Admittedly, I did find myself having to re-read a few passages to fully understand what was going on, however, the somewhat random leaps in topic were very apt for the child narrator and served to show his ignorance and naivety to the world around him.
There are some very funny moments interspersed throughout the novel, and I particularly enjoyed the playground taunts of Adam and his best friend Basil at school. Bakhti makes light of Lebanon’s religious divide by reducing it to playground politics, with Adam using his dual-identity as Christian-Muslim to wiggle his way out of his classmate’s teasing, choosing to embody whichever religion best suits his own motives.
As Adam matures into adulthood, his optimism begins to fade and he abandons his dreams of becoming an astronaut. Like so many, he soon comes to the realisation that his only way to succeed is to leave Beirut in search of a new beginning. Whilst Adam’s story may end in hope, it was also tainted with loss for those he had to leave behind or for those who never made it.
The reason for my rating is mainly due to the fact that I didn’t find myself forming much of an emotional attachment with the protagonist and I also found my concentration waning at some points as the plot is pretty slow-moving, but this might be due to the fact that I was in a bit of a reading slump. Nonetheless, this is a promising debut from a writer I will definitely be keeping my eye on in future.
Between Beirut and the Moon is the debut novel from Lebanese author A. Naji Bakhti. Set in post-civil war Beirut, the story follows the adventures of Adam and his friends as they grow up in a city decimated by conflict. Blurring the boundaries between the mundane and political violence, this episodic novel is a darkly comic coming-of-age story about a little boy who dreams of becoming the first Arab on the moon.
From the very first page, readers of this novel are transported to Beirut in all its glory and turmoil. The opening chapter begins with Bakhti explaining a Lebanese colloquialism ‘mother and father’ meaning whole or complete, and throughout the novel, he frequently breaks the fourth wall to explain meaning to his readers. I was fascinated to learn about the etymology of Lebanese phrases, and this colloquialism really set the focus of the novel, for the conflict in Beirut is divisive but equally uniting in the fact that it impacts an entire nation.
The novel’s plot was less linear than I was expecting, and it jumps about a lot between different anecdotes which are conventional of youth: arguments with his parents; getting into trouble at school; attempting to flirt with girls and underage drinking. Yet these everyday occurrences of Adam’s childhood are set against the turbulence of war with death lurking at every corner. Admittedly, I did find myself having to re-read a few passages to fully understand what was going on, however, the somewhat random leaps in topic were very apt for the child narrator and served to show his ignorance and naivety to the world around him.
There are some very funny moments interspersed throughout the novel, and I particularly enjoyed the playground taunts of Adam and his best friend Basil at school. Bakhti makes light of Lebanon’s religious divide by reducing it to playground politics, with Adam using his dual-identity as Christian-Muslim to wiggle his way out of his classmate’s teasing, choosing to embody whichever religion best suits his own motives.
As Adam matures into adulthood, his optimism begins to fade and he abandons his dreams of becoming an astronaut. Like so many, he soon comes to the realisation that his only way to succeed is to leave Beirut in search of a new beginning. Whilst Adam’s story may end in hope, it was also tainted with loss for those he had to leave behind or for those who never made it.
The reason for my rating is mainly due to the fact that I didn’t find myself forming much of an emotional attachment with the protagonist and I also found my concentration waning at some points as the plot is pretty slow-moving, but this might be due to the fact that I was in a bit of a reading slump. Nonetheless, this is a promising debut from a writer I will definitely be keeping my eye on in future.
October 27, 2020
“Become a writer. Write about going to the moon.”
“I don’t want to write about astronauts going to the moon. I want to be one.”
“Write in first-person then.”
Adam dreams to be like his heroes – Neil Armstrong, Yuri Gagarin, Buzz Aldrin – and explore new worlds beyond his own. But, who has ever heard of an Arab on the moon? Teased mercilessly by his friends and family, Adam has little support for his nascent ambition. And so, this extraordinary debut by A. Naji Bakhti follows Adam with his lofty ambitions as he comes of age within the confines of Beirut at the tail end of the civil war that tore the city apart.
In this book, death is omnipresent and conflict lurks every corner, but, as does comedy. Against the backdrop of a shattered city, Bakhti portrays the normal escapades of youth and narrates jokes through Adam’s childhood innocence. All the same, he does so while remaining frank and informative about the terrifying realities of post-civil-war Beirut. Just as his city struggles to heal after decades of turmoil, we see Adam himself struggle to understand his country’s turbulent history. A past which, whether he likes it or not, encroaches on his own future.
I curse the country that presented our children with two alternatives: death or immigration and instructed them to pick between the two.
I curse the country that forced its parents to send their children to outer space, or worse Europe, and wave silently from afar.
I curse the country that made fools of us all and led us to believe that we would grow old watching our sons amongst their fellow countrymen.
Moreover, this is an episodic novel that comprises a host of comedic, idiosyncratic misfits and miscreants. For instance, Adam battles with his book-hoarding journalist father who has a penchant for writing eulogies. He quarrels with his closest friend, Basil, a Druze who is said to worship goats and believe in reincarnation. Then, I lost count of how many halloumi sandwiches his mum made throughout. What’s more, the interactions with these characters, and the tales that unfold with them, render this book almost like a collection of connected short stories. Bakhti sprinkles his narrative with anecdotes that are conventional tales of adolescence. However, they are told against the turbulent background of convoluted politics and sectarian divides, car bombs, and kidnappings.
‘Between Beirut and the Moon’ introduced me to not only a new author but also a perspective that is severely underrepresented in English language literature. As Adam gazes at the stark vista of the Mediterranean skyline from his balcony and listens to the distant echoes of afternoon prayers, we step into a world that too many of us are ignorant of. However, Bakhti establishes that beyond the turmoil, it’s one we can resonate with. Watching the news can only tell us so much about a country. But, this book demonstrates how through humour, we can better understand a country’s spirit.
Thank you, Influx Press, for sending me an advanced copy of Between Beirut and the Moon by A. Naji Bakhti in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2021
These tragi-comic anecdotes related by our engaging adolescent narrator paint a vivid picture of growing up in a multi-faith society (and family). Against the backdrop of a city torn apart by sectarian and political violence, his testimony of normal youthful escapades resonates powerfully with the reader, bridging the gap between his world and ours. It’s the time I’ve ever read anything set in the Lebanon, so was educational for me.
I listened to this on audio and would definitely recommend the audio version.
I reviewed this for Whichbook.net
I listened to this on audio and would definitely recommend the audio version.
I reviewed this for Whichbook.net
June 2, 2021
I didn’t know anything about Beirut and was fascinated by this book, the protagonist, Adam, and the other characters. It had me from page one with the metaphorical and literal pool of books Adam and his sister dive or drown into and was giggling from page two. It is at times funny and at times tragic but Adam’s perspective makes everything look very human, messy, farcical and serious. It is a coming of age story with an episodic structure which follows Adam’s formative years, and the hopes and struggles of his family and native city. A thoroughly enjoyable novel, mother and father.
May 26, 2021
This book was gripping from the beginning. Learning about Lebanon has been really interesting. The characters were very realistic to the point where I had to double-check that this is actually a fiction book and not an autobiography or something. The only minor problem I had with this book is the switch between timelines, one moment you're reading about kids in school and the next they're adults, but over all it was a pretty solid book
November 4, 2021
Between Beirut and The Moon is a debut novel by Lebanese writer Naji Bakhti, published by Influx Press. A coming of age novel, about an adolescent boy Adam living in post civil war Beirut who dreams of becoming an astronaut. This articulated dream gets a different reception from those around him: derision from his journalist father who snorts that Arabs can't be astronauts, his school headmistress who takes special interest, his schoolmates who mock him and call him Gagarin. The title reflects there are significant obstacles in his way such as sectarian violence and bombing incursions by Syrian and Israeli forces. Adam's father Mr Najjar writes an article in the local newspaper raging “I curse the country that presented our children with two alternatives: death or immigration and instructed them to pick between the two.”
The tone of the book is surprisingly a dichotomy of irrevent humour mixed with despair. Bakhti has shared that he is influenced by Lebanese authors Rawi Hage and Rabih Alammedine but also funny coming of age Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle. The dark comedy that Bakhti deploys certainly results in a unique book; I'm used to authors tiptoeing for justifiable reasons around sensitive topics of sex, religion and war. However, Adam and his friends frequently get pulled inadvertently into these hot topics and I have to chuckle everytime the troublemakers find themselves in the headmistress' office who has to deal with the thorny issue with disgruntled parents and teachers. Adam himself comes from a mixed faith household: his maternal grandmother Mary is a Catholic from Palestine who currently resides in England and his paternal side is Muslim. His best friend Basil is Druze, as is his one time adolescent love interest.
Naji Bakhti chose to pen his work in English rather than Arabic, and he does a good amount of what he terms "leb-splaining" - explaining the cultural, historical, sociological context of the Lebanese setting and characters. We get to follow the evolution of taste in local beer brands, iconic singers like Sabah, the meaning behind common Lebanese sayings. Through Adam's surroundings, we experience a microcosm of Lebanese society. One of his teachers is a member of the SSNP Syrian Socialist National Party who later recruits his friend Basil. He is exposed to the powerful words and writings of Khalil Gibran and Mahmoud Darwish at school. Their neighbours include a French diplomat and an Egyptian porter who beats his wife. His father is a bibliophile who stacks their living quarters with towers of books, such a larger than life character. All the Najjar family members are memorable and their interactions a hoot.
I can't decide if the book ultimately ends on a hopeful note. We follow Adam's trajectory to when he becomes a young man residing in London while his family remains in Beirut. Given the dark days that Beirut is experiencing now in the real world, perhaps optimism is premature but the grit and life-affirming qualities are strong. 4.5 ⭐
The tone of the book is surprisingly a dichotomy of irrevent humour mixed with despair. Bakhti has shared that he is influenced by Lebanese authors Rawi Hage and Rabih Alammedine but also funny coming of age Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle. The dark comedy that Bakhti deploys certainly results in a unique book; I'm used to authors tiptoeing for justifiable reasons around sensitive topics of sex, religion and war. However, Adam and his friends frequently get pulled inadvertently into these hot topics and I have to chuckle everytime the troublemakers find themselves in the headmistress' office who has to deal with the thorny issue with disgruntled parents and teachers. Adam himself comes from a mixed faith household: his maternal grandmother Mary is a Catholic from Palestine who currently resides in England and his paternal side is Muslim. His best friend Basil is Druze, as is his one time adolescent love interest.
Naji Bakhti chose to pen his work in English rather than Arabic, and he does a good amount of what he terms "leb-splaining" - explaining the cultural, historical, sociological context of the Lebanese setting and characters. We get to follow the evolution of taste in local beer brands, iconic singers like Sabah, the meaning behind common Lebanese sayings. Through Adam's surroundings, we experience a microcosm of Lebanese society. One of his teachers is a member of the SSNP Syrian Socialist National Party who later recruits his friend Basil. He is exposed to the powerful words and writings of Khalil Gibran and Mahmoud Darwish at school. Their neighbours include a French diplomat and an Egyptian porter who beats his wife. His father is a bibliophile who stacks their living quarters with towers of books, such a larger than life character. All the Najjar family members are memorable and their interactions a hoot.
I can't decide if the book ultimately ends on a hopeful note. We follow Adam's trajectory to when he becomes a young man residing in London while his family remains in Beirut. Given the dark days that Beirut is experiencing now in the real world, perhaps optimism is premature but the grit and life-affirming qualities are strong. 4.5 ⭐
January 23, 2021
Naji Bakhti's debut novel is a coming-of-age tale full of sharp humour and wit, poignant moments and a message that the Lebanese – especially its youth – deserve a lot better, and always have. Against the backdrop of political instability (including Hezbollah’s war with Israel) throughout the 2000s and through the teenage narrator Adam, Between Beirut and the Moon explores how the Lebanese are constantly faced with the choice of emigrating or staying, while also embracing Beirut's paradoxes and complexities, defects and limitations, and freedoms and joys. As relevant for Lebanon today, in the wake of the Beirut blast and ongoing political crisis, as it would have been 14 years ago.
August 13, 2021
The manner in which this novel handles dark and traumatic events and places them under a comedic spotlight also took me by surprise. I felt that this was a book for everyone. Anyone who wanted to learn more about coming of age in Beirut, anyone who wanted to cry a little, reminisce, or even chuckle. It’s poignant but it doesn’t burden you with its emotional baggage, and so for me it takes the cake.
August 22, 2020
Excellent read no doubt .Beirut the city of love and war presented in details and accuracy.humorous dialogue which makes it unique smooth yet with very serious informative true to the bone daily events.Thank you Dr.Naji Bakhti for writing.waiting for more treasures.
August 22, 2020
‘Between Beirut and the Moon’, the debut of the extraordinary Naji Bakhti, is the coming of age story of a young boy named Adam living in Beirut. Adam dreams of becoming an astronaut, the first Arab astronaut, an ambition that is far cry from daily life in post-civil-war Beirut.
This is an eclectic and epic spiders web of tales and narratives, all spun out from the centre of Adam’s tale. A vast troupe of engaging and charismatic characters populate his world, and his encounters with them have the potential to turn every chapter into either comedy or tragedy, as Adam’s life flits between childish escapades and brushes with death and violence. The interactions with these characters, and the stories that unfurl as a result, make each chapter read almost like a set of short stories. This creates natural moments of reflection in the book, and I felt it allowed me to savour the book rather than rushing it. However, Naji Bakhti’s unique and fresh story telling keep the momentum going, making this a resoundingly successful debut novel.
His unique voice deftly tackles heavy subject matter about post-war Beirut and the violence of that environment. A subject that is severely underrepresented in English language literature. There is an element of detachment, or distance, in his writing style. It is almost passive in its descriptions, and it is this aloofness that allows Bakhti to stick the landing on comedy and emotion. Keeping the violence and fear in the room, by talking about it calmly and rationally, makes the heavier emotional moments leap from the page, and the comedic scenes shine.
Get a hold of a copy of this book now, Naji Bakhti is a tremendous talent and this book is simultaneously engaging, entertaining and enlightening.
This is an eclectic and epic spiders web of tales and narratives, all spun out from the centre of Adam’s tale. A vast troupe of engaging and charismatic characters populate his world, and his encounters with them have the potential to turn every chapter into either comedy or tragedy, as Adam’s life flits between childish escapades and brushes with death and violence. The interactions with these characters, and the stories that unfurl as a result, make each chapter read almost like a set of short stories. This creates natural moments of reflection in the book, and I felt it allowed me to savour the book rather than rushing it. However, Naji Bakhti’s unique and fresh story telling keep the momentum going, making this a resoundingly successful debut novel.
His unique voice deftly tackles heavy subject matter about post-war Beirut and the violence of that environment. A subject that is severely underrepresented in English language literature. There is an element of detachment, or distance, in his writing style. It is almost passive in its descriptions, and it is this aloofness that allows Bakhti to stick the landing on comedy and emotion. Keeping the violence and fear in the room, by talking about it calmly and rationally, makes the heavier emotional moments leap from the page, and the comedic scenes shine.
Get a hold of a copy of this book now, Naji Bakhti is a tremendous talent and this book is simultaneously engaging, entertaining and enlightening.
January 7, 2024
Oh my actual days! What a way to kick off my 2024 reading challenge 🍾
If I’m being completely honest, I only picked this book up for the front cover. I saw it when shopping in Beirut and thought that book would look good on my bookshelf, I had no thought that I would actually read it, let alone love it.
The fact that such a simple read of a boy growing up in war torn Beirut would be so gripping, emotional and funny is just amazing.
There were moments of comedy, conflict and confusion throughout, but kept me engrossed the entire time.
Absolutely amazing read - I would highly recommend 🥰😊
If I’m being completely honest, I only picked this book up for the front cover. I saw it when shopping in Beirut and thought that book would look good on my bookshelf, I had no thought that I would actually read it, let alone love it.
The fact that such a simple read of a boy growing up in war torn Beirut would be so gripping, emotional and funny is just amazing.
There were moments of comedy, conflict and confusion throughout, but kept me engrossed the entire time.
Absolutely amazing read - I would highly recommend 🥰😊
September 20, 2021
OH MY GOOOOOD THIS BOOK IS LIT!!!
October 29, 2024
A coming-of-age story in one of the most chaotic cities in the world. The novel is hilarious, warm-hearted, and very Lebanese - I loved it.
September 3, 2020
Incredible debut. There's such warmth and humour here, while tackling a shocking and violent context that needs to be documented.
July 14, 2021
This book is interesting if you are wondering about how a coming-of-age son lives as a Lebanese and what kind of life that he needs to face. Between his ambition to go to the moon like an astronaut and Beirut, his hometown. You can learn a lot of things from this fiction book.
From the first chapter until 4 chapters before the end, I found this book is quite humorous even though sometimes you could feel that they are living not in a safe place due to the post-civil war. I like the way the main character Adam Najjar told us about their culture or several terms that not many people are familiar with that. I also like how he narrated every single brand that he could say, for instance, Pizza Hut or Cadbury or even Heads and Shoulders.
One part that made me laugh is because the honesty and the culture that seems like the same in my country too:
'How do you know all this?'
'My mother told me.'
'How does your mother know all this?'
'The neighbours told her.'
'How do they know?'
'Don't be stupid. The neighbours always know'
After reading this book, I can't forget about their swore word: 'Jesus-Mohammad-Christ'.
From the first chapter until 4 chapters before the end, I found this book is quite humorous even though sometimes you could feel that they are living not in a safe place due to the post-civil war. I like the way the main character Adam Najjar told us about their culture or several terms that not many people are familiar with that. I also like how he narrated every single brand that he could say, for instance, Pizza Hut or Cadbury or even Heads and Shoulders.
One part that made me laugh is because the honesty and the culture that seems like the same in my country too:
'How do you know all this?'
'My mother told me.'
'How does your mother know all this?'
'The neighbours told her.'
'How do they know?'
'Don't be stupid. The neighbours always know'
After reading this book, I can't forget about their swore word: 'Jesus-Mohammad-Christ'.
August 12, 2020
Before reading this book I knew almost nothing about Lebanon but this book has changed that! Who says you can’t learn from fiction books? Although this book highlighted many differences between life in Beirut to my life, it also showed that there are still lots of similarities as well!
One of the things which I believe has been done excellently in the book is the combination of tackling heavy, subjects such civil war, with humour. Personally I think Naji Bakhti got the balance just right!
For me one the things that really stands out from this book is the vast array of characters. There is a great mix of characters representing many of the different communities of Beirut.
Overall I found Between Beirut and the Moon to be an eye opening and funny book, which I highly recommend! A fantastic debut novel!
One of the things which I believe has been done excellently in the book is the combination of tackling heavy, subjects such civil war, with humour. Personally I think Naji Bakhti got the balance just right!
For me one the things that really stands out from this book is the vast array of characters. There is a great mix of characters representing many of the different communities of Beirut.
Overall I found Between Beirut and the Moon to be an eye opening and funny book, which I highly recommend! A fantastic debut novel!
March 11, 2023
Certainly not horrible, but definitely not stellar.
The novel reads like one of the Lebanese authors we are taught in high school but is written in English. It felt like an homage to Lebanon despite the focus on the war. The author captures the power of childhood well.
A case of an extremely educated writer with many degrees, with great use of grammar but atrocious storytelling. The pacing is way off, and it drags with a lot of info dumps, and filler information.
You reach the 25% mark, and there is no real inciting incident yet.
The chronological order is jumbled, you are in the midst of a paragraph where the MC is 10 years old, and in the following sentence the MC is an adult, and his father is dead.
Most of the characters are unrealistic and 2D, they have one defining attribute, and it is used on and on for the sake of humor (which was funny) or for the sake of the entire characterization (which was horrid)
The MC has existential introspection and a rebellious/philosophical mentality at age 10. Contrived at best.
The prose is clear and easy to read, which also means it is stiff, dry, and basic.
Most people gave this high rating because of nostalgia, the description of Beirut, and the mood it sets. Naji Bakhti does a great job of exposing all the sides of Lebanon (Like most Lebanese writers before him) but fails immensely at the plot.
The novel reads like one of the Lebanese authors we are taught in high school but is written in English. It felt like an homage to Lebanon despite the focus on the war. The author captures the power of childhood well.
A case of an extremely educated writer with many degrees, with great use of grammar but atrocious storytelling. The pacing is way off, and it drags with a lot of info dumps, and filler information.
You reach the 25% mark, and there is no real inciting incident yet.
The chronological order is jumbled, you are in the midst of a paragraph where the MC is 10 years old, and in the following sentence the MC is an adult, and his father is dead.
Most of the characters are unrealistic and 2D, they have one defining attribute, and it is used on and on for the sake of humor (which was funny) or for the sake of the entire characterization (which was horrid)
The MC has existential introspection and a rebellious/philosophical mentality at age 10. Contrived at best.
The prose is clear and easy to read, which also means it is stiff, dry, and basic.
Most people gave this high rating because of nostalgia, the description of Beirut, and the mood it sets. Naji Bakhti does a great job of exposing all the sides of Lebanon (Like most Lebanese writers before him) but fails immensely at the plot.
December 27, 2020
Adam lives in Beirut in a small apartment with his parents and younger sister. His father is Muslim, his mother Christian and his best friend Basil, is Druze, a supposedly goat-worshipping religion. From a young age Adam tells people he wants to be an astronaut.
We follow him as he goes through his teenage years, his minor rebellions against school and family, encounters with girls, and the tension of growing up in a country and city always with the threat of war and bombing.
With sometimes quite wickedly funny observations of the adults around him, this is, on the surface of the book a story of a boy becoming a young man. But as it goes along and Adam gets older we start to see more of the tension and back stories to events, and the humour starts to disappear. In many ways it is quite clever, when Adam is younger everything seems a bit of a joke, but as he gets older and starts to understand the world a bit more it becomes more serious. When I started reading this it was a definite 3 star, enjoyable but nothing more - maybe because I hadn't been a teenage boy getting into trouble, and therefore didn't have any empathy really with Adam. I thought I would rush through the book. But as I got to the last third, I slowed down, and really started enjoying the book, as it delved deeper into a different world that I could never begin to understand, but with the conflicts in the region being the backdrop, not the main story; that was reserved for the conflicts between the main characters, Adam, his father, Basil and Mr Malik, one of the teachers.
It therefore became a very solid 4 star (nudging 5) and left me wondering how much was based on the author's life and how much was complete fiction.
We follow him as he goes through his teenage years, his minor rebellions against school and family, encounters with girls, and the tension of growing up in a country and city always with the threat of war and bombing.
With sometimes quite wickedly funny observations of the adults around him, this is, on the surface of the book a story of a boy becoming a young man. But as it goes along and Adam gets older we start to see more of the tension and back stories to events, and the humour starts to disappear. In many ways it is quite clever, when Adam is younger everything seems a bit of a joke, but as he gets older and starts to understand the world a bit more it becomes more serious. When I started reading this it was a definite 3 star, enjoyable but nothing more - maybe because I hadn't been a teenage boy getting into trouble, and therefore didn't have any empathy really with Adam. I thought I would rush through the book. But as I got to the last third, I slowed down, and really started enjoying the book, as it delved deeper into a different world that I could never begin to understand, but with the conflicts in the region being the backdrop, not the main story; that was reserved for the conflicts between the main characters, Adam, his father, Basil and Mr Malik, one of the teachers.
It therefore became a very solid 4 star (nudging 5) and left me wondering how much was based on the author's life and how much was complete fiction.
January 18, 2025
“In the beginning, it was dark and no one said a word. Then from the dark came the voice of my father.” Between Beirut and the Moon, the debut novel by A. Naji Bakhti, is a funny and increasingly dark coming-of-age narrative set in conflict-torn Beirut. Adam, the protagonist, wants to be an astronaut — never mind what his book-obsessed father, pragmatic mother, narrow-minded educators, and unimaginative friends think — never mind the slim odds, later showed to him as being less likely than being struck by lightning twice or a lottery win, and that’s not even factoring in how no one has ever heard of an Arab on the moon. Against this simple storyline, the socio-political world of Beirut unfolds — the party politics that lead people to violent acts and subjugation, the religious sectarianism beginning from school yards and ageing relatives. Bakhti is especially skilled at weaving emotional realism into his story, so that amidst everything else, Adam’s personal growth, and his relationship with his family — largely his father — is foregrounded. “Your children are not yours. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.” What I enjoyed most about Bakhti’s prose was its clarity, the way he takes such simple pared-back prose and imbues it with the suggestion of something just outside the narrative frame. “It was still dark when I returned home. The light had not yet snuck in through the grey, plastic shutters and bathed the dusty books.”
November 5, 2020
Between Beiruit and the Moon is a must read, Bakhti has written a humouress coming of age story with a protagonist questioning his religion, culture and upbringing as he has the ambition of being an Astronaut but "whoever heard of an Arab on the moon." A turbulent ride that leaves you constantly grinning and grimacing.
The novel follows young lad Adam with a father who has a thirst for books and dreams of building his own publishing house. The book is set post civil war and Adam is at school where he meets my favourite character of the novel Basil, Basil is a Druze he believes in recarnation. Adam and Basil are misfits at school and they try fit in despite the policical and religion differences surrounding them.
Bakhti perfectly captures the volatile city and confidently weaves humour through out with use of his characters. I particularly enjoyed the development of Adam and Basil's relationship and depite the humour it was quite tense at times particularly as Adams naievety diminishes and he begins to understand the world he is living in.
Bakhti explores a very complex topic and this resulted in an intriguing read whilst learning and enjoying it. This read is more imporatnt than ever considering what is still going on in Beiruit at the moment
The novel follows young lad Adam with a father who has a thirst for books and dreams of building his own publishing house. The book is set post civil war and Adam is at school where he meets my favourite character of the novel Basil, Basil is a Druze he believes in recarnation. Adam and Basil are misfits at school and they try fit in despite the policical and religion differences surrounding them.
Bakhti perfectly captures the volatile city and confidently weaves humour through out with use of his characters. I particularly enjoyed the development of Adam and Basil's relationship and depite the humour it was quite tense at times particularly as Adams naievety diminishes and he begins to understand the world he is living in.
Bakhti explores a very complex topic and this resulted in an intriguing read whilst learning and enjoying it. This read is more imporatnt than ever considering what is still going on in Beiruit at the moment
February 6, 2022
I think the book had a lot of symbolisim to it, and I didnt really pick up on it until half way through the book and I did not want to start over and try to figure out.. And because of that I felt like I didnt really connect or actually want to connect the dots and understand what was going on... Im terrible. lol. I wasnt hooked either. And I felt the entire story was meh.
Im not sure why the kids would joke about Mr Malik being a pedo... And i didnt understand why his part during adams parents wedding was so significant.
Another thing is I understand the only reason why he wanted to be an astronaut(to be as far away from beirut)... but I just dont understand why he wanted to leave so badly. I get the war was rough.. and I dont have much say because I have never lived in a warzone. But He had his family, they were alive. He didnt talk about any other dreams or things he wish he could do but couldnt... idk. and no one was supportive of his dreams!
All in all I rated this a 2start out of 5 and Im not sure if I would have read it again to maybe understand it better. the last 20pages were a complete drag.
Im not sure why the kids would joke about Mr Malik being a pedo... And i didnt understand why his part during adams parents wedding was so significant.
Another thing is I understand the only reason why he wanted to be an astronaut(to be as far away from beirut)... but I just dont understand why he wanted to leave so badly. I get the war was rough.. and I dont have much say because I have never lived in a warzone. But He had his family, they were alive. He didnt talk about any other dreams or things he wish he could do but couldnt... idk. and no one was supportive of his dreams!
All in all I rated this a 2start out of 5 and Im not sure if I would have read it again to maybe understand it better. the last 20pages were a complete drag.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
#1 of my 3 books to review for the Dylan Thomas Prize.
Naji Bakhti has written a coming of age novel about his upbringing in war-torn Lebanon. In parts, this book is belly-achingly funny. There's something very reassuring knowing that teenage conversations in a school in Beirut mimicked my own upbringing.
The use of these childlike conversations against the backdrop of gunfire and bombs is contrasting really well and as a result, shows how almost normal Bakhti found it.
His relationship with his father and his ambition to become an astronaut, which are consistently dismissed are very interesting. Including the sectarian elements and how he is perceived by others due to his mixed religious household.
The pacing and how the book jumps around is a bit sporadic for my tastes. One page alone could see a flashback from the main character, as well as reciting events that then happened 20 years later. I found this a bit jarring and personally prefer a more linear approach.
A promising debut.
Naji Bakhti has written a coming of age novel about his upbringing in war-torn Lebanon. In parts, this book is belly-achingly funny. There's something very reassuring knowing that teenage conversations in a school in Beirut mimicked my own upbringing.
The use of these childlike conversations against the backdrop of gunfire and bombs is contrasting really well and as a result, shows how almost normal Bakhti found it.
His relationship with his father and his ambition to become an astronaut, which are consistently dismissed are very interesting. Including the sectarian elements and how he is perceived by others due to his mixed religious household.
The pacing and how the book jumps around is a bit sporadic for my tastes. One page alone could see a flashback from the main character, as well as reciting events that then happened 20 years later. I found this a bit jarring and personally prefer a more linear approach.
A promising debut.
July 14, 2021
This is a book that’s been on my radar thanks to a postcard Influx Press sent me when I ordered another book! The title was incredibly intriguing, which carries over into the premise of the book. Adam’s dreams of walking on the moon are leagues away from the unpredictable life he leads in the war-torn city of Beirut.
Bakhti has an incredible talent for characterisation. Adam’s family, in particular his father, leap of the pages. It’s amazing to think such detailed characters with such intricate backstories and distinct personalities are completely fictional.
I also found this a highly educational read. I knew little about Lebanon before, and now feel I’ve learnt a lot through following Adam’s story. I love fiction that exists for more than just pleasure, which Bakhti’s debut definitely does. What a brilliant debut.
Bakhti has an incredible talent for characterisation. Adam’s family, in particular his father, leap of the pages. It’s amazing to think such detailed characters with such intricate backstories and distinct personalities are completely fictional.
I also found this a highly educational read. I knew little about Lebanon before, and now feel I’ve learnt a lot through following Adam’s story. I love fiction that exists for more than just pleasure, which Bakhti’s debut definitely does. What a brilliant debut.
September 6, 2021
The book stands on the premise of some child's dream – becoming an astronaut and going outerspace, only the narrator is also trying to escape his hotheaded father, a family that shouldn't have been, and a war-torn country with a cedar tree given by the French as its flag. It started with the boy as a kid and follows him throughout his youth; the style never once wavered, it being a complete jumbled yet delicious mix of the past and present depiction, the dialogues in his head and those that actually happened. It took some time getting used to, like the effort you have to put out on trying to get along with a child trying to tell a story. But after that getting-used-to, it's a journey of beautiful world-building and vivid emotions written out all the way until the end. Adam Najjar's voice will live in my head for a while now, I suppose.
October 8, 2021
4th read for reading curcol: #iniannivmrc 🦉
soo, buku ini nyeritain adam, seorang anak laki2 yg tinggal di beirut. naah, ayah sm ibunya adam nih beda agama, islam & islam. selain itu, adam juga punya cita2 buat jadi astronot, tapi sayangnya selalu ditentang sm ayahnya dgn alesan kamu tuh org Arab, dan org Arab gak ada yg bisa jadi astronot. pokoknya bukannya didukung malah dibikin mikir lagi deh. tapi ibunya adam baik banget, kayak dia selalu negur suaminya kalo ngomong gitu ke adam.
selain itu, banyak juga masalah2 lain kayak gimana sih keadaan pascaperang saudara beirut, masalah2 anak remaja as in flirt sama cewek & minum alkohol. ohya, ada juga unsur2 politiknya di sini dan ceritanya juga kadang make bahasa2 yg "lucu" gitu. trs menjelang ending agak sedih juga sih yaaa, krn pd akhirnya adam hrs ngerelain mimpinya dan realistis atas keadaan yg dia hadapi.
soo, buku ini nyeritain adam, seorang anak laki2 yg tinggal di beirut. naah, ayah sm ibunya adam nih beda agama, islam & islam. selain itu, adam juga punya cita2 buat jadi astronot, tapi sayangnya selalu ditentang sm ayahnya dgn alesan kamu tuh org Arab, dan org Arab gak ada yg bisa jadi astronot. pokoknya bukannya didukung malah dibikin mikir lagi deh. tapi ibunya adam baik banget, kayak dia selalu negur suaminya kalo ngomong gitu ke adam.
selain itu, banyak juga masalah2 lain kayak gimana sih keadaan pascaperang saudara beirut, masalah2 anak remaja as in flirt sama cewek & minum alkohol. ohya, ada juga unsur2 politiknya di sini dan ceritanya juga kadang make bahasa2 yg "lucu" gitu. trs menjelang ending agak sedih juga sih yaaa, krn pd akhirnya adam hrs ngerelain mimpinya dan realistis atas keadaan yg dia hadapi.
December 18, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this coming of age story in Beirut. Although there are some captivating cultural and historical elements of Lebanon, and you can feel the torn and confusing identity of this country, which may have introduced me to a new, unknown world, I can't really say that the ultimate story had an impact on me. It is definitely well-written and has its warm moments, but ultimately it's not a story that will stay with me till the end of time.
May 30, 2022
Well worth a read this darkly comic novel of growing up in Beirut had me laugh out loud and draw a few uncomfortable deep breaths. It’s enjoyable and poignant but a little repetitive with a series of minor chuckles as passages just trundle along.
It does build though so is worth sticking with if only to appreciate the smart balance between telling an entertaining and funny tale, and opening up the horrendous world of violence and fear that sometimes exists in a divided place.
It does build though so is worth sticking with if only to appreciate the smart balance between telling an entertaining and funny tale, and opening up the horrendous world of violence and fear that sometimes exists in a divided place.
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