Rare story of sexual freedom in revolutionary times

The ideals of young Syrians fighting for freedom during the Syrian revolution in 2011 are narrated in this rare novel in English that deals with the thwarted aspirations of the Arab Spring.

- Shawn Hoo

THE LAST SYRIAN By Omar Youssef Souleimane, translated by Ghada Mourad Fiction/Seagull Books/Hardcover/ 172 pages/$27.72

Told in 70 vignettes, The Last Syrian follows the web of relationships within a cast of rotating characters. At its center is the intimacy between the activist Youssef and the "neutral" Mohammed, who is embroiled in a loveless engagement with Sarah.

Having met on the gay dating Habibati website, the two men meet in secret once and subsequently keep a correspondence drenched in longing and lust. All this while, Youssef sees his friends—Khalil and Adel—fall victim to the violence of the police and military under the dictatorship of President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, Mohammed feels dread at his own inaction.