Summary

In 1936, Bashir's father, Ahmad, builds the house where most of the novel will take place, in the town of Al-Ramla. The Khairi family can trace their ancestors in this land back to the Ottoman Empire. In 1936, the British have a strong hand in overseeing Palestine; in 1917, England pledged to help find a new homeland for Jewish people. Ahmad is married to Zakia, and the family owns the local cinema. His uncle is mayor of the town and has to oversee the growing conflicts between Arabs and Jews, which causes some to see him as sympathizing too much with the British. Ahmad, a furniture maker by trade, focuses on building his dream home, which will include a lemon tree in the backyard. Zakia is pregnant, and the family hopes for a son. Despite the turmoil around them, the family...