THE PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE

Star-crossed lovers attempt to overcome the odds in Abiola’s (Realistic Hopes, 2014) historical novel.

The Lebanese Civil War exploded in 1975 due largely to the tension between Lebanon’s Christians and Muslims, and the conflict would last more than 15 years. When Mary, a Maronite Christian, falls in love with Isaac, a Sunni Muslim, the young, naïve couple have little hope for a bright future. They both know that their families won’t approve of their relationship, and so they plan to run away together to escape their cultures’ restrictions. Unfortunately, their plan is foiled soon after its inception, and leads to Mary’s father’s death. The couple splits when Mary immigrates to the United States with her mother and Isaac undertakes a new path of study in Lebanon. The far-flung lovers struggle to find their places in the world, encountering losses and successes in very different environments. Mary finds solace in her work with children in New York City and meets a potential love interest at the office. Meanwhile, Isaac studies English in Lebanon and obsessively plans for a future in which he can beg Mary’s forgiveness and win her back. Yet the violence of war and the disapproval of their families continue to threaten their future. Abiola’s novel provides a window into Middle Eastern history and offers a plea for religious tolerance and forgiveness. Although the history is fascinating, the love story is familiar: Mary is a classic heroine—an innocent beauty who falls quickly for a bad boy. Their young love withstands the test of time, although Isaac’s passion is disturbing in its ferocity and feels vaguely threatening. (Even Isaac’s doctor voices concern, noting that in almost eight years of counseling he “had not been able to reduce [Isaac’s] obsession with Mary.”) Abiola’s well-executed narrative neatly ties up its loose ends, however, providing a convincing ending.

A predictable but timely story that remains relevant in today’s political climate.