In My Mother's Footsteps

A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home

De: Mona Hajjar Halaby

Narrado por: Lameece Issaq

1948, Jerusalem. Zakia is forced to flee the only home she’s ever known as war rips through the leafy streets and the bustling spice-filled souqs. Taking just one suitcase, Zakia thinks she’ll be able to return soon. But within weeks, she realizes she won’t be allowed back to her beloved homeland.

2007, California. Mona grew up with her mother Zakia’s memories of Palestine, imagining the muezzin’s call for prayer and the medley of church bells her mother so vividly described to her. So, when Mona gets the opportunity to teach conflict resolution in Ramallah, she also embarks on a personal pilgrimage to find her mother’s home in militarized and occupied Jerusalem.

With cherished letters from her mother who writes to Mona regularly, sharing her story of Jerusalem, Mona dreams of one day being guided by her through the winding cobblestone alleys of the Old City. Yet it is Mona who instead holds her mother’s hand as they finally visit Jerusalem together. After 59 years of exile, her mother is returning to the place she once called home – but can a lifetime of loss ever be healed?

A moving and heartbreaking journey of a daughter discovering her Palestinian roots and recovering her mother’s beloved past. It’s also an intimate and tender account of daily life for Palestinians as never seen before. Perfect for fans of The Bookseller of Kabul and The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

©2021 Mona Hajjar Halaby (P)2021 Thread, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Utterly heart-breaking, absorbing, and tender...will stay with you long after you finish the last page." (Christy Lefteri, best-selling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo)

"An intimately detailed and moving account of what’s lost and found when human beings are displaced." (Sahar Mustafah, author of The Beauty of Your Face, a 2020 New York Times Notable Book)

great story, full of heart and humanness

Mona transported me to Palestine with her and her mother, and I am forever grateful for the privilege. Hers and her family's story will be forever with me, on my path of trying to picture Palestine and its people in my mind and in my heart.

Worth the credit

After reading this true story, I have a new empathy for the Palestinian people. I highly recommend it.

Honest Heartfelt Beautiful

This story tells the long struggle that the Palestinian people have endured and paints a beautiful picture of the beauty that cannot be squashed by their oppresser.
Today I finish this book It’s January 2024 and the plight of the Palestinian people has changed so much and yet not at all. Gaza is being bombed continuously, randomly and without any fear of repercussions. Protest, Marches, Boycotts are happening around the world for just the right of the Palestinian people not to be Genocide. Read and learn their stories so that they live on. And always Free Palestine, from the river to the sea.

Words for the heart

Beautiful book with beautiful insights. This story is kind to the reader taking them by the hand into the soul of Palestine.

A Beautiful Memoir

I loved everything about this memoir. From the relationships between Mother & Daughter, Husband & Wife, Teacher & Student and everything in between ... to hearing the rich history of Palestine ... to grieving over the loss of home & country for so many. This memoir was honest and sincere and connected me to a time and place I otherwise knew little about. Thank you for capturing the stories that need to be remembered!