Among the Almond Trees: A Palestinian Memoir

Among the Almond Trees is a meditative memoir by Hussein Barghouthi that explores nature, death, life in Palestine, and the universal concept of home. He reflects on his childhood in a village in central Palestine, where he grew up surrounded by almond and fig orchards, and takes healing walks in the moonlit shadows of the trees. He builds a house where he would live with his wife and son, and details the imaginative possibility of a return to life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2022
Publisher: Seagull Books

A poignant and heartwarming memoir that delves into the profound themes of nature, death, life in Palestine, and the universal concept of home, Among the Almond Trees is a literary masterpiece penned by Palestinian writer Hussein Barghouthi. Diagnosed with lymphoma in his late forties, Barghouthi initially feared it was HIV, leading to a bittersweet mix of emotions upon receiving the cancer diagnosis. Knowing that his wife and son would be spared from this fate brought him a sense of bitter joy. This dichotomous reaction is a hallmark of the alternating moods of narration and reflection that permeate this meditative memoir.

To cope with the impending finality, Barghouthi retreats to cherished memories of his childhood in the picturesque village of his birth in central Palestine. The house where he grew up is nestled amidst almond and fig orchards, providing a sanctuary of healing and tranquility. During moonlit walks amidst the majestic trees, he observes a myriad of wildlife, including foxes, gazelles, a mysterious badger with an otherworldly cry, a weasel, and a majestic wild boar with its young. This return not only brings him back to the house but also reconnects him with the essence of nature itself.

Determined to create a new home where he could live with his wife and son, Barghouthi sees in them a renewed sense of life. As he confronts his own mortality, he feels compelled to articulate his experiences, sharing the progression of the disease at irregular intervals. Additionally, he explores the imaginative possibility of a return to life—to the earth, where he would be laid to rest among the almond trees that have always held a special place in his heart.

Among the Almond Trees is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the human soul, exploring the complexities of life, loss, and the enduring power of love and nature. Barghouthi's poetic writing style and deep insights into the human condition make this memoir a timeless masterpiece that resonates with readers worldwide.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857428967