The Gist of It is a collection of 20 short stories that portray the consequences of long years of war in Syria, not on a political level, but rather on a human level where places and relationships are dangerous; memories from before the war, and how loneliness is experienced at home or abroad. This book also tackles issues such as detention, rebellion, and pervasive authority via mass media. This collection is eclectic: some stories like “Filthy Beauty” and “Statement of Absolute Hatred” are short but encapsulate all the elements that make a good tale, while others like “Falling Down Politely” and “You Can Call Me Velvet” are longer and play with deconstruction and multiple perspectives. Many narrators are young women who are both vulnerable and strong. Despite the variety of topics, all the stories challenge our perception of reality. The language is chiselled but accessible and the style oscillates between hyper-realism and subtle irony.

Approximate number of pages: 112 p.

Foreign rights: contact the author‘s agent