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In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home | Mona Hajjar Halaby
In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home | Mona Hajjar Halaby
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A moving and heartbreaking journey of a daughter discovering her Palestinian roots and recovering her mother's beloved past.
A Fifty-Nine Year Journey Home
In 1948 Jerusalem, Zakia was forced to flee the only home she had ever known as war ripped through leafy streets and bustling spice-filled souqs. Taking just one suitcase, she believed she would be able to return soon, only to realize within weeks that she was permanently barred from her homeland.
Decades later in 2007 California, Mona grew up immersed in her mother's vivid memories of Palestine—imagining the muezzin's call to prayer and the medley of church bells. When Mona accepted an opportunity to teach conflict resolution in Ramallah, she embarked on a personal pilgrimage to find her mother's home in militarized and occupied Jerusalem. Sustained by cherished letters from her mother detailing the winding cobblestone alleys of the Old City, Mona eventually holds her mother's hand as they finally visit Jerusalem together, witnessing a return after fifty-nine years of exile.
Key Memoir Themes
About the Author
Mona Hajjar Halaby is an educator, writer, and conflict resolution specialist whose personal journey bridges California and Palestine. In My Mother's Footsteps reflects her deep dedication to preserving family history and illuminating the enduring human realities of the Palestinian diaspora.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time period does the memoir cover?
The narrative spans from the 1948 displacement in Jerusalem through decades of exile, culminating in Mona's journey to Ramallah and Jerusalem in 2007.
2. Who are the central figures of the book?
The memoir centers on author Mona Hajjar Halaby and her mother, Zakia, whose letters and lived memories form the emotional backbone of the return to Jerusalem.
3. What narrative style does the author use?
Halaby combines memoir, historical reflection, and epistolary elements, incorporating correspondence from her mother to weave a deeply intimate narrative.
Reader Targeting
Read This If You Enjoy...
- Poignant memoirs of cultural heritage, displacement, and diaspora.
- Narratives exploring Middle Eastern history, family resilience, and modern Jerusalem.
- Books in the vein of The Bookseller of Kabul or The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
Product Specifications
| Title | In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home |
|---|---|
| Author | Mona Hajjar Halaby |
| Publisher | Bookouture |
| Publication Date | May 18, 2023 |
| Edition | Reprint Edition |
| Format | Paperback (Softcover) |
| Dust Jacket | Issued without dust jacket |
| ISBN-13 | 9781800196124 |
| ISBN-10 | 1800196122 |
| Page Count | 320 pages |
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 14.1 oz |
| Language | English |
| BISAC Categories | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional; HISTORY / Middle East / Palestine |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
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A story of displacement that passes from generation to generation. The history of the what happened to the Palestinians is put in simple terms for a new reader to the subject.