Sami Hani Khawaja

Published by Dar Al-Adab, Sami Hani Khawaja by Laura Makdessi is a gripping, cinematic narrative exploring trauma, memory, and existential isolation in modern Lebanon. The novel opens in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophic August 2020 Beirut port explosion. trapped beneath the ruins of his home in the Ashrafieh neighborhood, the protagonist—Sami Khawaja, a former civil war fighter—confronts his impending mortality. In the suffocating darkness, his mind wanders through fragmented memories: his childhood, his intellectual father Hani, his sister Hanadi, and his complicated personal relationships. Makdessi skillfully crafts a story where physical entrapment serves as a poignant metaphor for the broader political and psychological collapse of a society, questioning whether one can remain true to oneself amidst relentless disillusionment.

It offers an unforgettable, cinematic portrayal of post-explosion Beirut, seamlessly blending intense internal monologue with a profound exploration of collective trauma, resilience, and personal history.

Ideal for readers of modern Middle Eastern and Arabic literature, lovers of psychological fiction, and scholars interested in narratives dealing with urban trauma, civil war legacies, and contemporary Lebanese history.