Set in the old quarters of Damascus, these stories draw the reader into lives shaped by proximity, memory and the pressures of daily existence. Through narrow streets and shared homes, small moments unfold with lasting consequence.

In this collection, Tawfiq Hallaq presents closely observed pieces centred on individuals negotiating family tensions and social expectations. A broadcaster, a young girl, a shopkeeper and a neighbour, each perspective is rendered with clarity and precision.

The prose is controlled and exact, attentive to gesture, silence and detail. Damascus emerges as a textured environment, present in every exchange and turning point.

A compelling collection offering a finely judged portrait of lives under strain, where resilience and fragility exist side by side.