The Hakawati
# The Hakawati

The Hakawati ("storyteller" in Arabic) is a novel written by Rabih Alameddine and published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2008. The novel explores Lebanese families and cultures, and was well received by critics.

## Plot summary

Set in 2003, a young man travels from Los Angeles, California to his father's death-bed in Beirut, Lebanon. He and relatives share contemporary stories and parables during the vigil.

## Characters

* Afreet Jehanam
* Baybars
* Elie
* Farid al-Kharrat
* Fatima
* Ismail
* Lina
* Mariella
* Osama al-Kharrat
* Othman
* Uncle Jihad
