Nahr al-Asirarنهر الاسرار

A novel by Syrian author Fawza Hilal (b.1957), through its key character (Farah), highlights the suffering of Syrians over a decade, as they faced war that targeted every source of life. Farah was a child born out of wedlock, abandoned, and an orphan. She was embraced by a generous family but left when she grew up without lineage. She never attended school and realized her status in society only when she experienced humiliation and degradation in various situations.
Farah found her salvation through work; she served as a housekeeper in a number of households and, through this job, discovered the morals of various social groups. The novel portrays the impact of the country’s events on people’s behavior and how this behavior affected Farah, leaving her with wounds that could not be healed by time. As for how Farah confronted her fate; she had an unyielding determination that never submitted. She remained true to herself, moving forward despite the challenges, embodying patience and resilience.