Surviving crises through humor in the award-winning book 'The True True Story of Raja the Gullible'

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published December 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM EST

The cover of "The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)" beside author Rabih Alameddine. (Courtesy of Grove Press)

Host Indira Lakshmanan speaks with National Book Award-winning author Rabih Alameddine about his prize-winning novel “The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother).”

It’s a darkly comic book about a mother and son living in Beirut through a series of calamities, including civil war, kidnapping, and economic collapse.

Book excerpt: ‘The True True Story of Raja the Gullible’

By Rabih Alameddine

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Related Content

'The Rest of Our Lives' takes readers on a midlife crisis road trip

Heller McAlpin

America's literary highways may be plenty crowded with middle-aged runaways fleeing lives that increasingly feel like a bad fit. But Ben Markovits adds a moving tale to the collection.
Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025

Ivy Buck

Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there's something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here's what we suggest.
Springsteen's label was about to drop him. Then came 'Born to Run'

Terry Gross

Biographer Peter Ames Carlin describes the making of Born to Run as an "existential moment" for Springsteen. Carlin's book is Tonight in Jungleland. Originally broadcast Aug. 7, 2025.
The story behind Handel's 'Messiah'

Here & Now Newsroom

Georgetown professor Charles King tells the story in his book "Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah."
'Twice' author Mitch Albom asks: What if you could relive any moment of your life?

Tonya Mosley

Albom is the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, which chronicled Albom's relationship with Morrie Schwartz, his old college professor who died of ALS. Originally broadcast Oct. 13, 2025.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.