Rabih Alameddine on Writing Humor In Times of Tumult and Tragedy

Rabih Alameddine is a Lebanese-American author recognized for his award-winning works, including The Wrong End of the Telescope.

In 2026, he released a new novel titled The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), which explores the deep relationship between a mother and son across several decades.

The story is set in Lebanon and narrated by Raja, a philosophy teacher and openly gay man known in his community.

When Raja travels to the United States for a writing residency, he gains distance from both personal and national conflicts, but his journey ultimately forces him to confront past traumas.

The novel blends humor with profound themes of memory, identity, and resilience, reflecting Alameddine’s signature style of tragicomedy.