Author: Alia Malek (b. 1974)

Publisher: Nation Books (New York). 352 pp.

Type of work: Memoir

Time: 1950s–present day

Locale: Damascus, Syria

In her evocative memoir, Alia Malek intertwines her familial roots with the turbulent history of Syria, offering a poignant narrative that spans decades of change and upheaval.

Key Figures

Alia Malek, the author

Salma, her maternal grandmother

Sheikh Abdeljawwad al-Mir, her great-grandfather

Lamya, her mother

A Tapestry of Family and National History

Alia Malek’s memoir, The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria, artfully weaves the tale of her family against the backdrop of Syria’s history, culminating in the war that has devastated the nation. Born in Baltimore soon after her family's migration from Syria in the early 1970s, Malek pursued a career in civil rights, culminating in a stint at the Department of Justice. However, her deep-seated desire to return to Syria led her to Damascus in 2011, amidst the Arab Spring, to restore her family’s old apartment and witness the birth of a new era in her homeland.

Writing Amidst Chaos

In addition to her memoir, Malek authored A Country Called Amreeka: Arab Roots, American Stories, focusing on the experiences of Arab Americans. Yet, with The Home That Was Our Country, the narrative turns introspective, capturing her parents' longing for Syria and her own fragmented memories of summer visits. Malek’s storytelling reveals her yearning for a deeper connection to a culture and family history partially out of reach.

The Matriarch's Influence

Central to Malek’s narrative is her grandmother, Salma, a woman of strength and influence. Born during the Ottoman Empire to Sheikh Abdeljawwad al-Mir, Salma grew up under French rule, idolizing her father and brothers, which complicated her family relationships later in life. Her move to Damascus and establishment in the Tahaan apartment building allowed her to become a pivotal social figure, balancing elite gatherings with acts of kindness to the underprivileged.

Life in the Tahaan

Malek paints a vivid picture of life in the 1950s Tahaan, capturing the essence of a close-knit community. Daily interactions from balconies and Salma's authoritative presence in maintaining the building's order highlight the familial atmosphere that defined her mother Lamya’s upbringing. Yet, these intimate scenes contrast sharply with Syria's political instability, marked by a series of coups, a fleeting union with Egypt, and the Baʿth Party's ascent.

Political Turmoil and Family Displacement

With each regime change, Malek's narrative underscores the repetitive nature of power struggles in Syria. When Hafez al-Assad seized control in 1970, Salma’s generous gesture to a struggling songwriter resulted in a protracted legal battle to reclaim her apartment, courtesy of laws protecting tenants under Assad's rule. As the regime solidified its power, Malek’s family eventually regained their home in 2004, only for her to return in 2011 under Assad’s son, Bashar, to a nation still tightly controlled by secret police.

The Winds of Change

The Arab Spring saw ordinary citizens in Tunisia and Egypt demand change, and Syria was not immune. In Da’ara, a group of boys’ graffiti led to brutal repression by the regime, igniting protests that turned deadly. Malek juxtaposes these harrowing events against her daily life in Damascus, highlighting the growing risks and pressures her family faced, fearing the reach of the mukhabarat as she reported for American media.

Underground Resistance

Malek's depiction of the Syrian resistance is a testament to the courage and solidarity among citizens. As she immerses herself in the efforts to supply besieged cities, she learns of the regime's attempts to crush unity among Syrians. "Mustache," her contact, reveals the regime’s...