The novel follows Hadi and Sama – a young Syrian couple full of hope as they prepare for the birth of their first child in Boston, the place they have come to call home. Sama moved to the U.S. seeking a better life, while Hadi arrived as a refugee escaping the devastation of Syria’s civil war. On the day Hadi is set to return from his father’s funeral in Jordan, Sama eagerly waits at the airport, unaware that a sudden travel ban has ensnared Hadi, leaving him detained at the border. As the hours stretch into days, their lives spiral into an uncertain limbo, their dreams and aspirations clouded by an overwhelming sense of displacement.
Zgheib’s narrative expertly captures the subtle interplay of love, grief, and anxiety in the face of an unforgiving system. The novel blends personal and political turmoil, painting a vivid picture of what it feels like to be at the mercy of forces beyond your control. The emotional depth of Hadi and Sama’s longing, combined with their fears and shattered hopes, speaks to the universal struggle for stability and belonging. Zgheib’s lyrical prose, paired with her insight into the fragility of human connections, immerses readers in the intimate pain of a couple torn apart by arbitrary borders.
However, the novel’s intense focus on the characters’ internal states sometimes causes the pacing to lag, making certain sections feel overly introspective. Yet, this lingering exploration of their emotions effectively conveys the agonising passage of time in their situation. Through this deliberate pacing, Zgheib emphasises the silent suffering and resilience of those trapped in similar bureaucratic nightmares.
“No Land to Light On” is a moving reflection on the fragility of home and the endurance of love in the face of forces that can suddenly upend both.
0 Comments