The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide. Alyan, Hala. The Arsonist’s City. Mariner Books, 2021. Hardcover.

The novel begins in the past as Zakaria is murdered by a man looking to avenge his brother who died in the war.

The scene then shifts to the present day where Ava, Mimi, and Naj are all contacted by their mother, Mazna, after the death of their grandfather. Mazna begs them all to come with her to Beirut as their father, Idris, wants to sell the family house. Ava hesitates because she is struggling with the fallout of her husband, Nate’s, infidelity. Mimi is trying to make a name for himself in his old band and regrets cheating on his long time girlfriend. Naj feels alienated from her family because she is a lesbian and hopes to convince them not to come. She also meets an old friend named Fee who agrees to paint Naj for her upcoming show. However, all three decide to try and stop Idris.

Many years ago, Mazna was born in Damascus and grew up wanting to be an actress. After performing in one of Tareks’ plays in college, Mazna meets Idris and begins travelling with him to Beirut. She eventually meets his best friend, Zakaria, and falls in love even though Idris is clearly in love with her. Mazna continues to visit Idris’s rich family at their home in Beirut but ends up sleeping with Zakaria. One day, Mazna learns that Zakaria was killed and Idris begs her to marry him and go to America. Grieving, Mazna agrees.

In the present, Idris’s family arrives in Beirut and finds many pictures of their past. Ava, who heard her husband’s mistress on the phone when she called his hotel room, is determined to learn about her parent’s history after a woman named Hayat visits. Meanwhile, Mimi proposes to Harper out of guilt. He tells Naj that he quit his band even though he was essentially kicked out of it after being caught with another band member. Meanwhile, Naj is painted by Fee and later meets her at an x-ray room where it is revealed that Fee and Naj were dating before Fee’s brother threatened to reveal her sexuality to her parents who would disown her. The two apologize for how things ended up. There is more conflict in the family as Idris continues to try and sell the house.

The book then returns to Mazna’s story as she miserably arrives in America. She and Idris travel to a town a few hours outside of Los Angeles, but Mazna thinks she will never feel at home. As Idris begins his residency at a hospital, Mazna learns that she is pregnant with Zakaria’s child. She tells Idris about the pregnancy after a screening of a movie she took part in, but pretends it is his. Their relationship continues to suffer due to Mazna’s resentment even after her first daughter, Ava is born. Mazna eventually cheats on him with her best friend’s husband. Then, during hypnotherapy, she sees Zakaria who convinces her to have another child with Idris.

Later, Mimi is born and Mazna begins to feel detached from Damascus even though she thought she missed it. As Mimi grows up, Mazna begins auditioning for more movies without much success. Finally, she meets a director named Adam who loves her audition, but Mazna learns she is pregnant. Not wanting to start over with a new child, she has an abortion. Then, she learns that Adam chose another woman for the role. Heartbroken, Mazna decides to have a third child, Najla and give up on acting. However, it is later revealed by Adam that Idris told him she left the states, ruining her chance. Mazna is furious with Idris and it is revealed that he did so because he thought she would leave him if she ever became famous. The two reconnect when Idris’s mother dies, but Mazna decides she never wants to return to Beirut.

In the present day, Ava learns that she is actually Zakaria’s daughter from Hayat, but decides to keep this fact a secret to preserve her family. She also kisses Jo before she realizes that Nate remained at home and Emily had been in her own hotel room. Ava tells him the truth and the two reconnect over their mistakes. Later, Hayat attends the memorial for their grandfather and Idris has a heart attack. He decides not to sell the family home and they all attend Naj’s concert. Mimi is brought onto the stage to perform with her and realizes that he actually wants to be a restaurant owner.

Later, the family celebrates Naj’s birthday and many plan how they are going to move on with their lives. It is then revealed to the reader that Idris was always aware that Ava is Zakaria’s daughter, but chooses not to share that fact to keep his family together. He blames himself for Zakaria’s death, but decides to move forward even with that pain in his heart.