The Fig Orchard
I share here our wonderful "conversation". What was the precise instant when you knew you had to write The Fig Orchard? My grandmother, who was the inspiration of this novel, emigrated from Palestine when I was eleven months old. She lived with my family. She shared a bedroom with my sister and me. I really have no recollection of life before her. The essence of who she was, is now a part of who I am.
And looking back, it seems that my need to write this story was always with me -- emerging from the spirit and strength she radiated, the care and love she showed me, and the stories of her life that she shared. Ironically, it wasn't until my children were grown, and my working career complete -- when the chatter of the world had ceased, and my mind had calmed -- that I could actually sit and write the story; and once I began, I couldn't stop. Your book takes place in a very different place, and a different time.
Palestine, in the years leading up to WWI. It's also such a different situation for the country and its people, one that cannot even be imagined today. Can you talk about how it was for you to immerse yourself in that time and place, but also how much historical research you had to do, to get it just right?
The Fig Orchard
Immersion is a good word. I usually found my mind most active at 3 a. I would wake with thoughts and sentences and story lines, vivid conversations racing through my head. I'd rise and go into a separate bedroom, close the door, sit at a small desk facing the wall and write. Most times I wasn't sure where the words were coming from, they just flowed.
I felt them, smelled them, tasted them. I relied heavily on my upbringing. As the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, the culture was instilled in me from a young age. It's funny, whenever we want to make a point, we say, "There are two kinds of people There are two kinds of people -- those who live life, and those who observe it.
Whether it is good or bad, I have to admit that I am the latter. Sometimes I wish I was someone who could live in the moment, enjoy life, take things as they come; but, I am not. I am an observer of life. I do believe, however, that "observers" make good writers. Even as a young girl, I found myself consistently observing others. The Palestinian friends of my parents who came to visit. I was fascinated by their mannerisms, their speech patterns and their way of expressing themselves both in Arabic and English.
Even the simplest of things intrigued me, like how they held the tiny Turkish coffee cups between their thumbs and forefingers, and the sound they made as they inhaled the dark, thick coffee. I drew on these memories when creating the characters of the book. And of course, I did quite a bit of research to get the historical aspects right. The geography, maps, photos from the era, dates of wars, battles, diseases; the impact the Quakers had on the Palestinian society by establishing "Friends" schools throughout the region.
The unforgettable story of a woman splintered by war and cultural mores, desperately struggling to hold her family together, THE FIG ORCHARD is a rich. Editorial Reviews. Review. " the true beauty of Fiske's writing lies not only in the story she tells, The Fig Orchard - Kindle edition by Layla Fiske. Download it.
I had books opened and spread across my dining room table for months at a time. Which bits of you are in which of your wonderfully rich and complex characters in The Fig Orchard? There is probably a bit of me in each of the characters. I think that can't be helped. As a writer, I think it's hard to separate one's self from the characters you create. They are birthed in our minds, nurtured through our imaginations, and fed through our life experiences.
What we, as individuals, choose to do with those traits is what ultimately determines who we become as adults. Like Jabran, I have the strong desire to always do the right thing, but live a simple life, away from the fray. I possess the strong, exacting nature of Mona; the desire for truth and strong familial responsibility of young Essam; and finally, and most importantly, the determination to step beyond what others expect of me, as Nisrina ultimately learned to do. I thought I knew about Palestinian history and culture and yet, from learning so many important facts in your book, I realize I knew very little before The Fig Orchard.
Did you set out to give your readers a little learning with your novel? So much of what the American public hears about Arabs and Palestinians are in negative terms. The media is inundated with stories about terrorists, political conflicts, and social unrest. And justifiably so, as that is a major part of what is happening in that region today.
That is what makes headlines. However, I wanted to take the reader on a journey to a time and place when things were different -- to know the Palestine that I experienced through my father's and grandmother's stories. I wanted readers to experience what life was like in the early twentieth-century, when that part of the world was diverging from the Turkish-ruled Ottoman Empire, through World War I, and beyond. The book has an interesting and somewhat overlooked historical setting, the Arab Christian community of Palestine in the first part of the 20th century, before World War II.
The Middle East front of World War I, which pitted the Ottoman Turkish empire rulers of Palestine against Great Britain rulers of Egypt , is not well-known other than through the story of Lawrence of Arabia, but plays an important part in this story. However, the book is pri An excellent first novel by author Layla Fiske. However, the book is primarily focused on the life of a Palestinian woman, her family, and those in the Palestinian Christian community with whom she interacts. Her life spans a period during which traditional Palestinian Christian society changes as a result of the forces of modernity, particularly in terms of the place of women within that society.
The story itself is filled with interesting plot turns and situations. The many characters are tied together in a way that reminds me of a Charles Dickens novel, in which coincidence and chance often lead their lives to become intertwined. The bittersweet, haunting, and somewhat mysterious ending makes me wonder if a sequel is forthcoming, but in a way I hope not. Jun 29, Lee Fullbright rated it it was amazing. Layla Fiske is an exceptionally talented storyteller. Her award-winning novel, The Fig Orchard, transported me the highest compliment one can give a storyteller, I feel.
And then it completely wrapped its arms around me, first with food and smells and traditions and figures of speech foreign, but also, strangely, universal and comforting, and then with love for characters one Layla Fiske is an exceptionally talented storyteller. And then it completely wrapped its arms around me, first with food and smells and traditions and figures of speech foreign, but also, strangely, universal and comforting, and then with love for characters one aches to conceal and protect. May 25, Diane Schuller rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book had me right from the beginning.
It's one of those stories that had me thinking of it several times through the day; even wanting to drop everything to read further. I won't soon forget this epic story. As the publisher uses in it's PR, I agree whole heartedly that this novel, " This is a beautiful coming of age story about a strong g This book had me right from the beginning.
This is a beautiful coming of age story about a strong girl in a time and place in which women were objects to be owned and controlled. It is about love, and how love can heal you. There was only one minor incident in which a character was dying and what that person said did not ring true for me though it certainly added to the already multi-layered plot. For a first novel with such a rich and layered story, that's rather minor in my view. I loved this story. This one ends up in my "all time top favourites" shelf. Readers who like historical fiction.
The Fig Orchard, at its core, is a sweet love story. A story of the love between men and women, parents and children, and friends. Food is a central theme. Fiske carries the Syrian culture in her genes and in her heart. She flavors her writing style with a formality and pa The Fig Orchard, at its core, is a sweet love story. As a first novel, The Fig Orchard presages the promise of even better work to come. I look forward to Ms. Sep 13, Janice Heather rated it it was amazing.
In "The Fig Orchard," Layla Fiske tells the story of a seemingly ordinary woman who lives an extraordinary life as she rises to meet the challenges of her times and a culture that does not value women. Easy to read and beautifully told, this story captures the reader's imagination and heart.
Even though we do not live in Nisrina's times, region or culture, we can very much relate to her experiences with love, joy, pain, loss, betrayal and finally contentment and redemption. For a first-time author In "The Fig Orchard," Layla Fiske tells the story of a seemingly ordinary woman who lives an extraordinary life as she rises to meet the challenges of her times and a culture that does not value women. For a first-time author, this is a very complex and polished book. I hope Fiske will share more stories like this with us, so that we may better understand the people who live in a part of the world that's been steeped in mystery but with whom we share universal feelings, fears, hopes and dreams for ourselves and our loved ones.
Oct 17, Julia rated it it was amazing. The Fig Orchard was an engaging and well written book. While I read it, I felt transported through time and space by the author's descriptions of flavours, sights, and smells.
Combined with the heartbreaking and heartwarming story, it was an engaging read. When I was not reading the book, I was thinking about it. Ever time I picked it up I was instantly reabsorbed in the characters and their lives. While the situations the characters experienced were far removed from my life, the characters and The Fig Orchard was an engaging and well written book. While the situations the characters experienced were far removed from my life, the characters and underlying themes were very relatable.
It is a beautiful book that I will definitely reread in the future. Oct 27, Jennifer rated it it was amazing. The title was intriguing to me when I first saw it on Goodreads First Reads and I was thrilled when I won it and received a wonderful thank you from the author! I know if I am going to love a book or not after reading the first paragraph and I was hooked with this one. It was a beautifully told story about love, friendship and redemption. There was good story development which made it hard to put down and how the characters crossed paths was unexpected and rewarding. This book will stay with me The title was intriguing to me when I first saw it on Goodreads First Reads and I was thrilled when I won it and received a wonderful thank you from the author!
This book will stay with me for a long time. I cannot wait to give it to my mom to read; I know she will love it as well! Looking forward to more from Layla Fiske - thank you for such a touching read! May 04, Karen rated it really liked it Shelves: It was so nice to read a good, old-fashioned novel. To me, that means no artificial literary pretensions. Bad things happen to good people, they overcome them; something else happens and you are never sure if all will be well. Would be quite logical and realistic if the story ended in tragedy. I am reminded of "Gone with the Wind" - except the heroine is a thoroughly nice person and the war is in Palestine during WW I.
And I never sympathized with the Turks as I did with Confederate soldiers! Jul 06, Susan McBeth rated it it was amazing. Only a gifted storyteller like Layla Fiske could do justice to this intriguing fictional tale of Nisrina Huniah and her struggles to raise three children alone in a male-dominated Middle Eastern culture after her husband is forcibly "conscripted" into the Turkish army.
Inspired by her real-life grandmother's similar experience, Layla pays beautiful homage to her family with a story that will live on for a very long time. Feb 24, Jeffree Itrich rated it it was amazing. If you're looking for a mesmerizing tale to take you on a ride through history in a region of the world you've never been, read this book.
Fiske is a masterful storyteller who surreptitiously makes you love her characters, well not all of them, but most. By the time you finish reading The Fig Orchard the characters will seem like old friends that you are sorry to see go. Fiske will write a sequel featuring the next generation of the Yusef family.
Sep 14, Patricia Tienken-boman rated it it was amazing. Once I got past the first chapter, which for some reason I kept on putting the book down maybe too many interruptions after I couldn't put the book down, such rich descriptions and what a different world! It was enlightening to read about a country that we only hear problems in and their history. Of course I loved Nisrina and her strength. Looking forward to meeting the author at our book club gathering! Nov 08, Ashley rated it it was amazing Shelves: I received this as a part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
This is a very well written novel about life in the Middle East in the early 's. The characters were phenomenally done. I really felt like I got to know them. I really enjoyed reading this novel and I can't wait to read more from Layla Fiske. Dec 19, Michelle rated it really liked it. A beautiful tale, told in Syria, a land of turmoil.
It gives you a delightful insight into a place which is so alien. Wonderful descriptions of the land, culture, dress and food, which take you on a glorious journey. The story of Nisrinia, her loves, her faith, her bravery and her maternal instinct, which had me entranced from start to finish. Mar 25, Vanessa Springett rated it really liked it. I really enjoyed this book of love, loss, and perseverance. I could almost smell the flowers and taste the foods.
Looking forward to meeting the author at our next book club. A very nice read. So glad I live where I live in the time we live. Reading books about other times in other lands make me appreciate my life even more. Dec 03, Marie UK rated it it was amazing Shelves: What a beautifully written novel. The author sees all the detail in the world and includes it in this book so that the reader feels a part of it. Emotionally poignant, brutal at times, the characters are so vivid and real.
The ending is fabulous but also leaves you wanting more. Jun 10, Natalia rated it it was amazing Shelves: A gorgeous story, filled with family, food, love and adventure. I couldn't put this one down. The writing is lyrical and the characters are very real. Looking forward to reading more from this author! Touching and gripping novel this is a wonderful, touching novel of family, hardship, betrayal, and hope.
I would recommend this book to all who enjoy intelligent fiction. Dec 02, Kerry rated it really liked it. The debut author richly weaves a love story, tragedy, perserverance in the face of daunting odds and long-held cultural Middle Eastern traditions into a page-turning novel. Nisrina is a year-old girl who is unwillingly thrust into an arranged marriage in her village near the Jordan River in Palestine.
However, she soon comes to deeply love her husband, Jabran, and they build a life with their children and his extended family. As farmers, they grow figs and olives. Until one day, Jabran is kid The debut author richly weaves a love story, tragedy, perserverance in the face of daunting odds and long-held cultural Middle Eastern traditions into a page-turning novel.
Until one day, Jabran is kidnapped by Turkish soldiers and conscripted into their service to fight against the British in the expanding World War. Devastated, Nisrina makes a critical decision -- she goes to live in a Catholic convent in Jerusalem and studies to be a midwife.
She makes strong bonds with several of the nuns, which will be of great benefit later. Back in her village, Nisrina becomes respected for her work and care, and her children, despite the loss of their father and mystery of his whereabouts, thrive in their mother's devotion. But Nisrina's life is disrupted yet again due to an evil brother-in-law and once again, she is forced to leave her family. I won't drop any more spoilers, but know that this story continues its compelling arc.
The reader also learns what happens to Jabran But sadly , the ultimate reunion never materializes. Nov 17, Susan rated it really liked it. This is a first novel for this author about a Palestinian woman during the early 's. Nisrina was a young peasant woman from a small farming community, who wanted to attend school but was not allowed to because she was needed on the farm.
Her mother had died in childbirth. Nisrina marries, has children, and then her husband is forced to fight with the Ottoman Army against the British. All in all, a fascinating read, well written and beautifully laced with the middle eastern foods and cultural This is a first novel for this author about a Palestinian woman during the early 's.
All in all, a fascinating read, well written and beautifully laced with the middle eastern foods and cultural norms of that period. I loved the book although I wasn't fond of the ending. Overall, an excellent read. I loved the concept of this novel, and it should have been right up my alley. My great-grandmother my Sitti came to the United States from Assyria right around the time of this novel, and it was fascinating to imagine her life there before her emigration The descriptions of the food and environment are lovingly rendered by Fiske, and she treats her characters with a gentle hand until she doesn't, so those mome I loved the concept of this novel, and it should have been right up my alley.
The descriptions of the food and environment are lovingly rendered by Fiske, and she treats her characters with a gentle hand until she doesn't, so those moment have real impact.
I LOVED the look at women's position in society in early 19th century Syria; very sobering given our current political climate. These are all things I thought were great.
KIRKUS REVIEW
Unfortunately, I felt very impatient while reading this book. It's a sweeping saga, covering a lot of plot-driven ground and time in the lives of the families that are central to the story. On one hand, I enjoyed the 19th-century style, serendipitous plot twists reminded me of how neatly everything works out in Jane Eyre , but I eventually felt bogged down by the writing style. The descriptions I enjoyed at the beginning became a bit too much as the book continued. As the story travels through time, it focuses on different sets of characters and their struggles.