Broken Mirrors: Sinalcol

Karim Chammas returns to Lebanon, his family, & his past after ten years of establishing a new life in France. Back in Beirut, Karim reacquaints himself with his brother Nassim, now married to his former love Hind, & old friends from the leftist political circles within which he once roamed under the nom de guerre Sinalcol. By the end of his six-month stay, he has been reintroduced to the chaos of cultural, religious & political battles that continue to rage in Lebanon. Overwhelmed by the experiences of his return, Karim is forced to contemplate his identity & his place in Lebanon's history. The story of Karim & his family is born of other stories that intertwine to form an imposing fresco of Lebanese society over the past fifty years. Broken Mirrors examines the roots of an endemic civil war & a country's unsettled past.

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“The Broken Mirrors: Sinalcol” is a masterful narrative that serves as Lebanon’s quintessential national epic. This powerful tale, crafted by one of the most esteemed contemporary Arabic novelists. It delves into the intricate themes of sibling rivalry, the scars of civil war, & the profound experience of betrayal…

[It] is more than just Karim’s story. It’s a tapestry woven from various narratives that together create a comprehensive fresco of Lebanese society over half a century. The novel brilliantly explores the roots of Lebanon’s ongoing civil strife & its unsettled history. Khoury’s writing marked by a panoramic scope. Infused with astute political insights, rich ironies, & a broad spectrum of ideas & literary references. The narrative’s structure mirrors the disorientation & fragmentation of the civil war. With its overlapping stories & constantly evolving perspectives. Offering a profound reflection of Lebanon’s complex & tumultuous past. — Riyadh Review of Books