The Arsonist's City - 4.5 stars > Likes and Comments

I loved Hala Alyan’s debut novel, Salt Houses, so I was eager to read The Arsonist’s City. Alyan is a Palestinian American clinical psychologist and her two novels are both well-informed diaspora stories of families from the Middle East. In this one, there are alternating chapters about two generations. Mazna, an aspiring Syrian actress, sneaks across the border to Beirut one night on a jaunt with some friends and becomes involved with young men who will change her life. We know in the beginning that she’s married to one of them, Idris, and living in California. We learn more of her story from her three grown children: daughter Ava, a biologist in New York; son Mimi, a failing musician and restaurateur in Texas; and Naj, a wildly successful musician in Beirut. When Idris decides to sell the family home in Beirut, Mazna insists that all three children must convene there. The various relationships among family members are all complicated, one way or the other, and run the gamut from intense loyalty to screaming altercations. Many secrets and lies exist within this stew. The characters are well developed and the story is a good one, spooled out at a good pace. Family love and forgiveness, both of self and others, usually prevails, but I must admit it’s not a family I’d care to be part of. Perhaps this is why I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Salt Houses. Still, I enjoy reading books set in interesting places, written by people who understand the culture and history deeply.

Susan, I remember feeling the same way about the book, and also, preferred "Salt Houses."

Great review! I really appreciate Alyan's writing as well. I hope that she writes another novel soon.

Holly R W wrote: "Susan, I remember feeling the same way about the book, and also, preferred "Salt Houses.""

In my dreams, Salt Houses is read by all Americans. So much to be learned.

Jen K wrote: "Great review! I really appreciate Alyan's writing as well. I hope that she writes another novel soon."

Thanks. Lots to be learned from her writing!