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Quote by Susan Abulhawa

Work

Mornings in Jenin

Mornings in Jenin is a fictional narrative that delves into the lives of its characters amidst the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The story is centered in the village of Jenin, where the author examines the dynamics of family relationships and the impact of political turmoil on individual lives. more

Author

Susan Abulhawa
Susan Abulhawa

Susan Abulhawa (born 1970) is a Palestinian-American writer and human rights activist. She is best known for her novel 'Mornings in Jenin', which explores the impact of the 1948 Nakba on a Palestinian family. Her work focuses on Palestinian identity, exile, and resistance, blending personal narrative with historical context. Abulhawa also founded the nonprofit 'Palestine Children's Relief Fund', supporting children in Gaza. Her writing and activism have gained international recognition, though her stance has sparked debate. more

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“If there is pain, nurse it, and if there is a flame, don't snuff it out, don't be brutal with it. Withdrawal can be a terrible thing when it keeps us awake at night, and watching others forget us sooner than we'd want to be forgotten is no better. We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster than we should that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything - what a waste!”

“Most of us can't help but live as though we've got two lives to live, one is the mockup, the other the finished version, and then there are all those versions in between. But there's only one, and before you know it, your heart is worn out, and, as for your body, there comes a point when no one looks at it, much less wants to come near it. Right now there's sorrow. I don't envy the pain. But I envy you the pain. (p. 225)”

“He let out a sigh. With my head there against his chest, I could faintly make out the sound of his heart beating through his suit coat. It seemed to be rushing. His hand, gentle as ever, reached to cup my cheek. As I looked into his eyes, I felt that unnameable feeling that was growing between us. With his eyes, Maxon asked for something we'd both agree to wait on. I was glad he didn't want to wait anymore. I gave him a tiny nod, and he bridged the small gap between us, kissing me with unimaginable tenderness.”