The Young Olive Tree

The Young Olive Tree is something Shadid plants during his very first visit to Isber Samara's house, before he has even decided to rebuild it. It is a symbol of his determination to see the house reborn, and of continuity between the generations of his family.

Isber Samara's House

Isber Samara's House is the main object of focus in the memoir, the reason Shadid returns to Marjayoun to resurrect it from its long abandoned shell of a self. Reconstruction of the house takes up the bulk of the narrative. It becomes known as the "warshe," or "workshop."

Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon is a major landmark outside of Marjayoun, a snow-covered peak that provides the town with beautiful vistas and forms part of the border with nearby Israel.

Cemento Tiles

Cemento Tiles are beautiful hand-painted tiles that form a major architectural element of traditional Middle...