The Most UNDERRATED Books By Lebanese Authors

Lebanese authors are often celebrated for one or two standout works, which can sometimes overshadow other publications that also deserve the hype. Here are some of the most underrated books by Lebanese authors that you might want to add to your bookshelf.

Let us know what books by Lebanese authors you think are severely underrated!

Beirut Hellfire Society (2018) by Rawi Hage

If you’re interested in: war narratives, absurdism, historical fiction

Rawi Hage is mostly known for De Niro’s Game and Cockroach, both of which are great novels, but Beirut Hellfire Society enjoys a new flavor with that signature Hage fierceness. Set in the 1970s during the Lebanese Civil War, it follows the life of Pavlov, the son of an undertaker, who becomes involved with a secretive and unconventional group called the Hellfire Society after his father’s death. This society is dedicated to providing clandestine burial services for those who are shunned by religious institutions, such as atheists, outcasts, and rebels.

Through Pavlov’s eyes, the novel explores themes of mortality, defiance, and the absurdity of life amid the chaos of war. It offers a darkly humorous and poignant reflection on the human condition and the complexities of living in a war-torn society.

An Unsafe Haven (2016) by Nada Awar Jarrar

If you’re interested in: political fiction, refugees, trans-cultural narratives

Somewhere, Home is a popular, award-winning novel that tells a story across three generations of women. It would probably appeal to literature lovers more than An Unsafe Haven.

The novel enjoys multiple narratives as it revolves around a small group of friends. Hannah, a journalist born and raised in Beirut, lives with her American husband, Peter. Maysoun escapes the violence in Baghdad by relocating to Beirut and working with the Red Cross. She is trying to persuade her mother in Baghdad to join her, while also considering an offer from a childhood friend in New Zealand. Anas, along with his German wife and their children, resides in Damascus but is visiting Beirut for his art exhibition. Their proximity to the conflict strains their family as his wife accuses Anas of endangering their children to cling to a sense of normalcy in Syria.

It’s a realistic narrative that picks apart issues of conflict and displacement. An Unsafe Haven is political and lacks any flowery language or imagery often seen in most works of literature.

The Wrong End of the Telescope (2021) by Rabih Alameddine

If you’re interested in: political fiction, migration literature, non-linear narratives

Mostly known for his works Al Hakawati and Koolaids, Alameddine’s most recent novel is also worth the read. In typical Alameddine fashion, with lots of humor and a confusing narrative style! This novel follows the story of Dr. Mina, a transgender Lebanese doctor who fled Beirut, as she volunteers to help receive refugees arriving to Lesbos. Dealing with her own personal struggles and past trauma, she becomes deeply involved with Sumaiya, a fierce Syrian mother of three who tries to keep her terminal cancer a secret.

This is Alameddine’s attempt at writing the refugee experience, focusing on the refugee without adopting a refugee point of view. The novel primarily focuses on Dr. Mina’s interaction with multiple refugees in Lesbos, as she struggles with her connection (or lack thereof) to Beirut as an immigrant herself.

Anima (2012) by Wajdi Mouawad

If you’re interested in: War and trauma narratives, thriller, psychology

Playwright Wajdi Mouawad is celebrated for his play Incendies (2003), but this novel is absolutely riveting. An award-winning thriller, this novel is about a man who journeys across North America after finding his wife murdered. During his journey to find the killer, he encounters many animals. Mouawad not only uses the animals as a narrative voice to tell the story but also as important characters. He uses their voices to reveal the stark contrast between humans and the natural world – the superior and the vulnerable.

Mouawad’s unique tale and employment of this narrative style will definitely appeal to any psychology fanatic. Especially if you’ve read the basics of Jungian theory! As the novel progresses, it becomes an excavation of the protagonist’s deeply buried childhood trauma.

This Is How You Lose the Time War (2019) by Amal El-Mokhtar & Max Gladstone

If you’re interested in: queer literature, time travel, sci-fi romance, prose writing

This is a more modern short story that might not be for everyon. It’s about two time-traveling agents who work for rival factions in a war across time and space. Despite their opposing missions and ideologies, they begin a secret correspondence through letters that spans different timelines and locations. As they exchange messages, their initial rivalry transforms into a deep, complex relationship.

Written in the form of letters, the narrative style reflects the theme of the limitlessness of time and space. This makes it a slightly more difficult read, since little information is given about what exactly is going on.

If you don’t agree that these are the most underrated books by Lebanese authors, then it’s time to update your Goodreads.

Share with us your list of most underrated books! If you enjoyed this read, you might also like: The Viral Book “Nancy Is Not Karl Marx”: Explained.