The Broken Wings

Kahlil Gibran's poetry novel Broken Wings was initially published in 1912 in New York by the publishing company of the periodical Meraat-ul-Gharb. It's a tragic love story set in Beirut at the turn of the century. Selma Karamy, a young woman, is betrothed to the nephew of a renowned religious figure. This woman falls in love with the protagonist (a young man who Gibran may have based after himself). They begin meeting in secret, but are discovered, and Selma is banned from leaving her home, shattering their dreams and hearts. Many of the social issues of the time in the Eastern Mediterranean are addressed in the book, including religious corruption, women's rights (and their lack thereof), and the balance of riches and happiness. Read more