The Wrong End of the Telescope

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WINNER OF THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION 2022. 'A beautiful, well paced, enraging, funny and heartbreaking book' - The Guardian. 'Spectacular . . . deeply poignant' - New York Times. Mina Simpson, a Lebanese doctor, arrives at the Moria refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, after being called by a friend who runs an NGO. Distanced from her family except for her brother, Mina has long avoided her homeland. With a week off work and separated from her wife of thirty years, she seeks to make a meaningful impact among the many Western volunteers. Soon, a boat arrives carrying Sumaiya, a determined Syrian matriarch battling terminal liver cancer. She hides her diagnosis from her family, fiercely protecting them. As Mina and Sumaiya bond over this secret, Mina prepares a treatment plan with limited resources while grappling with the broader issues of displacement and her own limitations in providing aid. This narrative introduces a compelling heroine, leading readers through one of today's most pressing humanitarian crises. Alameddine skillfully intertwines stories of other refugees, creating a vibrant tapestry of tragic yet humorous portraits of resilient spirits. 'Alameddine hits a distinctly contemporary note with this new book about refugees . . . it feels totally authentic' - Sunday Times.