Beirut: Following successful launches in London and Nicosia, Lebanese author Rana Hanna officially released her debut novel, "Birds in the Rain" (Bold Story Press), in Beirut during an intimate event held at Syma, L'Atelier de Porcelaine in Achrafieh. Guests were invited to engage in a conversation about themes of love, hope, memory, and the courage to return home, featuring Rana Hanna and Syma Debbane, moderated by Layla Makdisi. The event also included a Q and A session and a book reading.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the launch gathered readers, members of the literary community, journalists, and cultural figures, creating an evening that mirrored the novel's ambiance, characterized by attentiveness, introspection, and a shared sense of experience. "Birds in the Rain" explores how love and memory endure amidst conflict and how individuals cope with the remnants of history. Set during the 2006 Lebanese-Israeli war, the story follows Layla as she searches for her missing sixteen-year-old son amid a looming national crisis. Alongside Marc, an ex-militia man confronting his past, Layla embarks on a journey that challenges the boundaries of grief, hope, and resilience.
The novel captures the quiet tension many Lebanese people experience between home and exile, war and recovery, certainty and change. It delves into the question of what remains after war fades from the headlines. Hanna stated her intention to depict how ordinary people rebuild after extraordinary loss and how love persists despite uncertainty. The narrative began with a personal inquiry into living without loved ones.
Rana Hanna, a former journalist and editor, brings a unique perspective to fiction, having witnessed both conflict and renewal. Her debut novel is both a compelling story and a reflection on endurance, resonating with readers who have faced dislocation. "Birds in the Rain" is available in paperback and eBook formats through major online retailers and at Librarie Antoine and Virgin Megastore.
Rana Hanna is a Lebanese author and educational consultant residing between Beirut and London. Educated at the University of Nottingham and St. Antony's College, Oxford, she has a background in journalism and consulting. Her writing delves into memory, identity, and the nuanced spaces between belonging and distance. "Birds in the Rain" marks her first novel.