The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and religious discrimination.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your thoughts on the alternating narratives of Bashir and Dalia’s families? Did this storytelling approach enhance your understanding of the similarities and differences in their experiences?

2. What was your emotional response to the friendship between Bashir and Dalia amid their conflicting historical and cultural backgrounds? Did their relationship feel realistic and relatable?

3. In The Lemon Tree, the personal histories of Dalia and Bashir are deeply intertwined with the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Have you encountered other works that similarly use individual experiences to shed light on the complexities of this conflict—e.g., A Day in the Life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall? How do these narratives enhance your understanding of the human aspects behind political struggles?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book explores themes of displacement and longing through Bashir’s and Dalia’s perspectives. Have you ever faced or witnessed situations where home or identity was contested? How did it shape your perspective on belonging and loss?