Firefly

This novel follows Nizam al-Alami, a young man caught between Muslim and Christian identities during the Lebanese Civil War, exploring themes of hope, identity, and the struggles of a divided society. Firefly captures his journey amidst chaos and conflict.

Firefly is a poignant novel that explores the life of Nizam al-Alami, a young man caught between the Muslim and Christian worlds during the Lebanese Civil War. Set against the backdrop of Beirut in the early 1970s, the story delves into Nizam's complex identity—he is Muslim by birth and Christian by baptism, with no religion listed on his national ID card. Raised by a Christian couple, Touma and Rakheema, after wandering into their orchard as a child, Nizam navigates a world fraught with tension and division.

As Nizam matures, he moves to Beirut to pursue a law degree but soon finds the constraints of academia stifling. He abandons his studies to explore the vibrant city, which becomes a canvas for his experiences and relationships. His home transforms into a gathering spot for communist friends, and he falls for Janan, an artist whose haunting paintings reflect the turmoil surrounding them. As the city erupts into conflict, dividing into Christian and Muslim territories, Nizam's life becomes increasingly perilous, with his apartment serving as a refuge for armed fighters.

Through Jabbour Douaihy's narrative, readers witness Nizam's struggles with stigmatization, homelessness, and violence, as he grapples with his outsider status in a fractured society. The novel captures the essence of hope embodied by Nizam, reminiscent of the elusive fireflies of his youth. Douaihy poses a thought-provoking question: how long can this fragile hope endure amid the chaos of war?