*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

Selamlik centers around the life of a gay Syrian man called Furat and his life both before and after the Syrian civil war, living in Syrian cities such as Aleppo and Damascus, as well as seeking refuge in Sweden.

It is quite an intense book, both in its homoeroticism and war brutality. The writing about Furat's fear, guilt, desire and pleasure that are vivid and compelling, while evocative even in its non-grauitous, factual retelling of the violence and brutality of the war. Another thing I really appreciate is Alesmael's depiction of modern Syria that sheds light on daily life before the conflict, and especially the lives of gay men in the cities, which are surprisingly culturally rooted yet quite liberal, defying any preconceptions.

Although I wish the ending was less abrupt, it was fitting nevertheless. I recommend this novel for those who don't shy away from sexual and war content, and there is much to learn from it.