The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)

In "The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)," National Book Award finalist Alameddine weaves a tragicomic love story set in modern Lebanon, exploring the complex bond between a son, Raja, and his fiercely devoted mother, Zalfa. Living in a cramped Beirut apartment, their lives intertwine with humor and heartache as Raja, a philosophy teacher seeking solitude and peace, faces the challenges of family, memory, and the repercussions of personal and national turmoil. When a writing residency in America offers him an escape, Raja must confront the past he longs to forget, ultimately leading to a poignant journey of self-discovery and love.