According to The New Yorker, ““House of Stone” tells the story of Shadid’s efforts to rebuild—and excavate the history of—a family property in Lebanon.” It is Shadid’s third book-length work, but the first exploration of his personal family history.
Shadid recently told Mother Jones, when asked what sort of hometown reception he foresaw for the book:
I have no idea. I’m actually building a fence around the house right now because I’m worried the reception might not be all that great. I think people will understand what the town represents and what the town means, and be very proud of the book. I’ve tried to offer a memorial to what Marjayoun is and what it was and hopefully what it can still be. But, it’s a town, and a town is filled with gossip and rivalries and jealousies. I don’t think the reception is going to be universally the one I would’ve hoped for.
Peace to him and his family.
Excerpts of his two previous books:
From Shadid’s Night Draws Near
From Shadid’s Legacy of the Prophet
Shadid’s last story in the NYT:
Islamists’ Ideas on Democracy and Faith Face Test in Tunisia