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Our Own Private Fig Tree
1988: In a multicultural pocket of inner-city Melbourne, sixteen-year-old Caleb falls in love with Samira, his Lebanese neighbour. Both understand the rules that determine they're not allowed to date, but neither stays away. As they hide in the branches of a giant fig tree, their forbidden love blossoms ... until tragedy pulls them apart.
1998: A chance encounter has reunited Caleb and Samira. Now that she's no longer the sixteen-year-old girl he fell in love with but a beautiful grown woman, Caleb is certain they'll have a second chance. But cultural rules don't go away simply because they're adults. Instead, they're left facing the same battle they did as teens. Except this time, Caleb realises the threads of culture and heritage are weaved much deeper into his own life than he could've imagined.
He has a choice. To fight for the woman he loves, or to do what everyone before him has done. Follow the rules.
1998: A chance encounter has reunited Caleb and Samira. Now that she's no longer the sixteen-year-old girl he fell in love with but a beautiful grown woman, Caleb is certain they'll have a second chance. But cultural rules don't go away simply because they're adults. Instead, they're left facing the same battle they did as teens. Except this time, Caleb realises the threads of culture and heritage are weaved much deeper into his own life than he could've imagined.
He has a choice. To fight for the woman he loves, or to do what everyone before him has done. Follow the rules.
372 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2021
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Rania Battany
13 books34 followersRania Battany writes raw, real and relatable romance that packs an emotional punch. Her characters are charismatic and sometimes flawed; the romances are passionate and sensual; and the stories tug at the heartstrings, always coming together in a powerful and beautiful Happily Ever After.
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October 18, 2021*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘If only we could have our own private fig tree everywhere we went.’
Rania Battany is an Australian contemporary romance author who loves to pen stories filled with raw emotion and troubled characters. Our Own Private Fig Tree is a tale that combines a modern romance story with issues of multiculturalism. Stirring, touching, heartbreaking and sincere, Our Own Private Fig Tree is a poignant read that I rate highly.
Crossing the timeframes of 1988 and 1998 in Australia, Our Own Private Fig Tree considers the cost of a romance challenged by culture, heritage and societal norms. In the year 1988, we meet sixteen-year-old Caleb, a boy on the cusp of adulthood, who falls deeply in love with a local girl named Samira. This star-crossed love story immediately runs into trouble when Samira’s culture interferes with her new romance. Samira is denied the chance to date Caleb and despite the restrictions placed on this couple, they continue to see one another secretly. As Caleb and Samira grow closer, a tragedy forces them apart, breaking two young hearts in the process. Moving forward in time to ten years later, Caleb and Samira reconnect after a decade apart. Caleb is hopeful that Samira will return to him and jump back into a relationship. However, this couple continue to face the same cultural issues and family opposition problems that forced them apart as teenagers. But a family secret comes to the surface that changes Caleb’s outlook on his life. Can Caleb and Samira break free from the rules that define their existence?
I was first introduced to the writing of Rania Battany two years ago, after I was gifted a copy of Battany’s 2019 contemporary romance novel, Fleeting Moments. I described this novel as having a strong emotional focus and that it raised some thought-provoking ideas in regards to love. Based on my past experience with Battany’s writing, I was happy to delve into Our Own Private Fig Tree.
I got the feeling from the onset that this story is inspired by Battany’s own past experiences and family history. As a result, the tale that emerges is one of heart, passion and honesty. There is a strong sense of authenticity to the experiences outlined in the novel, the characters themselves and their responses to the issues at stake in the story. Drawn heavily from personal experience, Our Own Private Fig Tree makes for a compelling and engaging read. Our Own Private Fig Tree contains plenty of emotional moments, lots of drama, some heartbreaking choices and a number of difficult decisions. I felt like I had stepped back in time to both 1988 and 1998 thanks to Battany’s affective prose. A strong sense of nostalgia washed over me, reminding me of my past experiences during these years! Battany captures the angst and deep feelings of her characters, which makes Our Own Private Fig Tree a very involving contemporary romance tale.
Our Own Private Fig Tree works hard to critically interrogate issues of culture, heritage, family values, expectations and rules in regards to young people from other cultures. Samira’s experiences as a young Lebanese girl and a woman later down the track is portrayed well by the author. I got a very good glimpse into the life experiences, challenges, setbacks and sense of family from Samira’s side of the story. In Caleb, we are presented with a quintessential Australian boy and young man, who is struggling to understand the rules imposed on his emotions. Caleb is faced with quite a challenge to his mode of thinking and his family construct ideas as the novel progressed. I really appreciated Battany’s treatment of this area of her novel. Above all else, I feel that this story represents a powerful ode to living in a multicultural area of inner-city Melbourne. Our Own Private Fig Tree has a lot to say in regards to the complex nature of culture and heritage when love intervenes!
All in all, Our Own Private Fig Tree was a thoughtful, diverse and unique romance tale that I enjoyed very much.
*I wish to thank the author for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Our Own Private Fig Tree is book #93 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘If only we could have our own private fig tree everywhere we went.’
Rania Battany is an Australian contemporary romance author who loves to pen stories filled with raw emotion and troubled characters. Our Own Private Fig Tree is a tale that combines a modern romance story with issues of multiculturalism. Stirring, touching, heartbreaking and sincere, Our Own Private Fig Tree is a poignant read that I rate highly.
Crossing the timeframes of 1988 and 1998 in Australia, Our Own Private Fig Tree considers the cost of a romance challenged by culture, heritage and societal norms. In the year 1988, we meet sixteen-year-old Caleb, a boy on the cusp of adulthood, who falls deeply in love with a local girl named Samira. This star-crossed love story immediately runs into trouble when Samira’s culture interferes with her new romance. Samira is denied the chance to date Caleb and despite the restrictions placed on this couple, they continue to see one another secretly. As Caleb and Samira grow closer, a tragedy forces them apart, breaking two young hearts in the process. Moving forward in time to ten years later, Caleb and Samira reconnect after a decade apart. Caleb is hopeful that Samira will return to him and jump back into a relationship. However, this couple continue to face the same cultural issues and family opposition problems that forced them apart as teenagers. But a family secret comes to the surface that changes Caleb’s outlook on his life. Can Caleb and Samira break free from the rules that define their existence?
I was first introduced to the writing of Rania Battany two years ago, after I was gifted a copy of Battany’s 2019 contemporary romance novel, Fleeting Moments. I described this novel as having a strong emotional focus and that it raised some thought-provoking ideas in regards to love. Based on my past experience with Battany’s writing, I was happy to delve into Our Own Private Fig Tree.
I got the feeling from the onset that this story is inspired by Battany’s own past experiences and family history. As a result, the tale that emerges is one of heart, passion and honesty. There is a strong sense of authenticity to the experiences outlined in the novel, the characters themselves and their responses to the issues at stake in the story. Drawn heavily from personal experience, Our Own Private Fig Tree makes for a compelling and engaging read. Our Own Private Fig Tree contains plenty of emotional moments, lots of drama, some heartbreaking choices and a number of difficult decisions. I felt like I had stepped back in time to both 1988 and 1998 thanks to Battany’s affective prose. A strong sense of nostalgia washed over me, reminding me of my past experiences during these years! Battany captures the angst and deep feelings of her characters, which makes Our Own Private Fig Tree a very involving contemporary romance tale.
Our Own Private Fig Tree works hard to critically interrogate issues of culture, heritage, family values, expectations and rules in regards to young people from other cultures. Samira’s experiences as a young Lebanese girl and a woman later down the track is portrayed well by the author. I got a very good glimpse into the life experiences, challenges, setbacks and sense of family from Samira’s side of the story. In Caleb, we are presented with a quintessential Australian boy and young man, who is struggling to understand the rules imposed on his emotions. Caleb is faced with quite a challenge to his mode of thinking and his family construct ideas as the novel progressed. I really appreciated Battany’s treatment of this area of her novel. Above all else, I feel that this story represents a powerful ode to living in a multicultural area of inner-city Melbourne. Our Own Private Fig Tree has a lot to say in regards to the complex nature of culture and heritage when love intervenes!
All in all, Our Own Private Fig Tree was a thoughtful, diverse and unique romance tale that I enjoyed very much.
*I wish to thank the author for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Our Own Private Fig Tree is book #93 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 4, 2021
I am totally in awe of Rania’s stories she digs deep into her characters feelings and emotions and makes her books the best stories, stories that pull every emotion to the surface, you feel their happiness their sadness everything, what can I say, her books are must reads they are emotional, beautiful and I think this one just might be her best so far. I loved meeting Caleb and Samira and I am sure you will as well.
It is 1988 and in an inner city suburb of Melbourne where a group of teenagers are growing up together they are from different cultural backgrounds and everyone knows the rules of what will happen in their futures, except sixteen year old Australia Caleb and sixteen year old Lebanese Samira break the rules and get very close trying to find alone time is not easy as they need to keep their relationship a secret and there is a huge fig tree that helps them find their time alone. Their love is growing when tragedy rips them apart.
1998 both Caleb and Samira have moved on with their lives but neither have ever forgotten their first love when a chance meeting brings them together again and that love just grows but again cultural rules are still there. Caleb is determined that they do not hide their love this time around but it is so much harder for Samira to change her parents beliefs but her heart is with Caleb and always will be.
This is a beautifully written story, there are some heart-wrenching times and then some gorgeous heart-warming times as Caleb and Samira find their HEA so much happens in this story and MS Battany has pulled it all together in the most beautiful, caring and sensitive way. We get to know not only Caleb and Samira but their families and friends as well and find that cultural differences have caused problems for some of them as well.
I loved this story so very much, it pulls at the heart it made me cry it made me smile, it made me frustrated at the way life is sometimes but I could do nothing but cheer Caleb and Samira on, their love was true and wonderful from the start. I do highly recommend this one, it is awesome and there are so many fabulous characters that I felt so much for as well. Thank you Rania for another awesome story one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review
It is 1988 and in an inner city suburb of Melbourne where a group of teenagers are growing up together they are from different cultural backgrounds and everyone knows the rules of what will happen in their futures, except sixteen year old Australia Caleb and sixteen year old Lebanese Samira break the rules and get very close trying to find alone time is not easy as they need to keep their relationship a secret and there is a huge fig tree that helps them find their time alone. Their love is growing when tragedy rips them apart.
1998 both Caleb and Samira have moved on with their lives but neither have ever forgotten their first love when a chance meeting brings them together again and that love just grows but again cultural rules are still there. Caleb is determined that they do not hide their love this time around but it is so much harder for Samira to change her parents beliefs but her heart is with Caleb and always will be.
This is a beautifully written story, there are some heart-wrenching times and then some gorgeous heart-warming times as Caleb and Samira find their HEA so much happens in this story and MS Battany has pulled it all together in the most beautiful, caring and sensitive way. We get to know not only Caleb and Samira but their families and friends as well and find that cultural differences have caused problems for some of them as well.
I loved this story so very much, it pulls at the heart it made me cry it made me smile, it made me frustrated at the way life is sometimes but I could do nothing but cheer Caleb and Samira on, their love was true and wonderful from the start. I do highly recommend this one, it is awesome and there are so many fabulous characters that I felt so much for as well. Thank you Rania for another awesome story one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review
September 24, 2021
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Our Own Private Fig Tree. I have read a few of Ms Battany's books over the years and I believe Fig Tree is her best yet!
This is a moving tale that explores young love, cultural differences and traditions that reach back decades. What gives this book such depth and diversity is Ms Rania's own experiences as a child growing up in inner-city Melbourne in the 80's, which are woven through the storyline - running up and down the street with our friends, playing our boomboxes, hanging out at the pools, climbing trees, and sneaking into abandoned factories. Ah! The 80's!
Caleb and Samira's love for each other will move you in this novel, as will the complexities of the other characters, and the societal and cultural rules that define them. A finely crafted story that is engaging, honest, heartbreaking and wonderful all at the same time. Thank you Rania. 5 stars!
This is a moving tale that explores young love, cultural differences and traditions that reach back decades. What gives this book such depth and diversity is Ms Rania's own experiences as a child growing up in inner-city Melbourne in the 80's, which are woven through the storyline - running up and down the street with our friends, playing our boomboxes, hanging out at the pools, climbing trees, and sneaking into abandoned factories. Ah! The 80's!
Caleb and Samira's love for each other will move you in this novel, as will the complexities of the other characters, and the societal and cultural rules that define them. A finely crafted story that is engaging, honest, heartbreaking and wonderful all at the same time. Thank you Rania. 5 stars!
August 1, 2021
A deeply emotional novel that explores what it means to love someone that your can never be with. Culture, family, values, generations and tradition are all interwoven into this truly Australian story. Caleb and Samira are torn between what their hearts want, and what their heads say can never be. This is Rania Battany's best work to date; a diverse voice lending her authenticity to the reality of our multicultural society.
August 31, 2021
I was so glad to have had the opportunity to read this story. I have found another great Australian author to follow. I loved how this story was about multiculturalism and how Caleb and Samira fought to live in the real world and not in the world that once was. They loved each other so much that they could push past the barriers of cultural rules. This was another book I couldn’t put down. I’d like to thank Michelle Montebello for thinking of me when Rania asked if she knew of someone who would like to read the Advance Reader’s Copy. And for opening the door for more books from another great author to read.
October 14, 2021
After reading Rania Battany's Fleeting Moments two years ago, and her subsequent novels, I knew this book would pull at the heartstrings. As well, it encouraged me to look both inside and outside of myself and think about the different cultures and rules we live by in our society.
This was a brilliantly written novel that explored the importance of culture, and the expectations that families can put on their children to conform to that culture, even if they now live in a different country.
It also celebrated differences in culture. The music, the food, the big family celebrations, the support from large families when tragedy happens, and the way it can give us our identity.
It is a story of two teenagers, Caleb, 'white boy', an Australian and Samira, a Lebanese girl, who live across the road from each other, fall in love and have to hide this from everyone because it wouldn't be acceptable, especially from Samira's families perspective.
But it is more than a story of forbidden love, it's a story of true love and how to be true to that love if society's rules and cultural rules say it's wrong.
There is a tragedy that nearly destroys a family and separates these two for nearly a decade. When they meet again, nothing has changed, both between them and with Samira's family expectations. There are secrets that have been kept for decades that come out that cause Caleb to take a look at who he is and his identity, it also helps him see that if he wants a life with Samira, he must fight to gain acceptance in her world, and convince her he is worth the risk. History could be repeated or they could forge a new path, one that combines their cultures and their families.
I really did love this novel, it had everything in it I needed to make it a wonderful read. I loved all of the characters and their differences, I especially loved Jim who was such a special person in the lives of so many and in the choices he made for love.
I went to school with a fair few Greeks, Italians, Malays and various other cultures, but I never really thought about how different their home lives, or their parents' backgrounds might be. I wonder now, did they feel some of the same expectations on them that Samira did in this novel. Were there expectations that they would choose a partner from the same cultural background, work in a certain job, marry and have children? Did they fight against those cultural expectations or roll with them so as not to upset their families? So many things to consider that I wasn't even aware of 20+ years ago.
This is a story full of warmth, heartache, acceptance and love. It is about learning about our identities, respecting our cultures, but learning to combine those cultures to take what works from each one and make it something even better.
In this multicultural world, we live in, this is important because there are many more cultures sharing this land we call home, cultures will become blended, but we still need to be able to hold on to the heart of that culture while finding the path that works towards a future for all.
This was a brilliantly written novel that explored the importance of culture, and the expectations that families can put on their children to conform to that culture, even if they now live in a different country.
It also celebrated differences in culture. The music, the food, the big family celebrations, the support from large families when tragedy happens, and the way it can give us our identity.
It is a story of two teenagers, Caleb, 'white boy', an Australian and Samira, a Lebanese girl, who live across the road from each other, fall in love and have to hide this from everyone because it wouldn't be acceptable, especially from Samira's families perspective.
But it is more than a story of forbidden love, it's a story of true love and how to be true to that love if society's rules and cultural rules say it's wrong.
There is a tragedy that nearly destroys a family and separates these two for nearly a decade. When they meet again, nothing has changed, both between them and with Samira's family expectations. There are secrets that have been kept for decades that come out that cause Caleb to take a look at who he is and his identity, it also helps him see that if he wants a life with Samira, he must fight to gain acceptance in her world, and convince her he is worth the risk. History could be repeated or they could forge a new path, one that combines their cultures and their families.
I really did love this novel, it had everything in it I needed to make it a wonderful read. I loved all of the characters and their differences, I especially loved Jim who was such a special person in the lives of so many and in the choices he made for love.
I went to school with a fair few Greeks, Italians, Malays and various other cultures, but I never really thought about how different their home lives, or their parents' backgrounds might be. I wonder now, did they feel some of the same expectations on them that Samira did in this novel. Were there expectations that they would choose a partner from the same cultural background, work in a certain job, marry and have children? Did they fight against those cultural expectations or roll with them so as not to upset their families? So many things to consider that I wasn't even aware of 20+ years ago.
This is a story full of warmth, heartache, acceptance and love. It is about learning about our identities, respecting our cultures, but learning to combine those cultures to take what works from each one and make it something even better.
In this multicultural world, we live in, this is important because there are many more cultures sharing this land we call home, cultures will become blended, but we still need to be able to hold on to the heart of that culture while finding the path that works towards a future for all.
September 19, 2021
Thank you Rania for sending us a copy to read and review.
A multicultural love story that will melt your heart from a author that has made herself known in the contemporary fiction market of the last few years.
A story that’s beautifully written and magically woven together and one that is very special.
1988, Caleb falls for beautiful Samira.
A love that is taboo.
They meet in secret until tragedy tears them apart.
Ten years later, meeting again by chance they rekindle their love.
But the same issues arise.
Will they survive the obstacles that are thrown at them and will love win?
The latest offering from Rania gifts her audience a awe inspiring, heart stirring and delightful tale of passion, tenderness and endless love.
While eternal affairs of the heart is the main theme, we get a glimpse into the everyday real issues of interracial relationships, forbidden romance, modern families and life as a teenager decades ago.
A sensitive, authentic and intimate tale that captures the divide between cultures when two people from each side fall in love and have society, family and friends tell them it shouldn’t be but love conquers all.
This story ticks all the right boxes, takes the reader on a touching realistic journey and when it ends leaves you feeling happy.
Our Own Private Fig Tree will pull your heart strings, move your emotional mind and give you chills of delight.
A multicultural love story that will melt your heart from a author that has made herself known in the contemporary fiction market of the last few years.
A story that’s beautifully written and magically woven together and one that is very special.
1988, Caleb falls for beautiful Samira.
A love that is taboo.
They meet in secret until tragedy tears them apart.
Ten years later, meeting again by chance they rekindle their love.
But the same issues arise.
Will they survive the obstacles that are thrown at them and will love win?
The latest offering from Rania gifts her audience a awe inspiring, heart stirring and delightful tale of passion, tenderness and endless love.
While eternal affairs of the heart is the main theme, we get a glimpse into the everyday real issues of interracial relationships, forbidden romance, modern families and life as a teenager decades ago.
A sensitive, authentic and intimate tale that captures the divide between cultures when two people from each side fall in love and have society, family and friends tell them it shouldn’t be but love conquers all.
This story ticks all the right boxes, takes the reader on a touching realistic journey and when it ends leaves you feeling happy.
Our Own Private Fig Tree will pull your heart strings, move your emotional mind and give you chills of delight.
October 21, 2021
Another beautifully-woven story by Rania Battany.
What a wonderful read! This multi-layered story not only included Ms Battany's usual emotive romantic connection between the main characters, but the cultural differences between their worlds were vividly highlighted. Although the author's other books have been enriched with Lebanese culture, this novel differed in its intensity and stark contrasts because of the period of time this story is set.
Loved Caleb and Samira, and the intricate web of culture/family/belief systems they both clung to yet rejected (or wanted to reject) at times. In the first half of the book their impetuous teenage thoughts, feelings and behaviour overshadowed their reality, but a decade of experience and self-beliefs can change a person.
I loved getting to know their families and friends. Although I suspected one particular "outcome" from the beginning, I appreciated the intricacies of relationships throughout the novel. Is there any chance we'll get to see what happens with Caleb's brothers in another book (or two)? 😉 I'd love to read it!
Note to readers: Although this story is a beautifully-written delight to read, some readers may be sensitive to the course language and open-door bedroom scenes.
What a wonderful read! This multi-layered story not only included Ms Battany's usual emotive romantic connection between the main characters, but the cultural differences between their worlds were vividly highlighted. Although the author's other books have been enriched with Lebanese culture, this novel differed in its intensity and stark contrasts because of the period of time this story is set.
Loved Caleb and Samira, and the intricate web of culture/family/belief systems they both clung to yet rejected (or wanted to reject) at times. In the first half of the book their impetuous teenage thoughts, feelings and behaviour overshadowed their reality, but a decade of experience and self-beliefs can change a person.
I loved getting to know their families and friends. Although I suspected one particular "outcome" from the beginning, I appreciated the intricacies of relationships throughout the novel. Is there any chance we'll get to see what happens with Caleb's brothers in another book (or two)? 😉 I'd love to read it!
Note to readers: Although this story is a beautifully-written delight to read, some readers may be sensitive to the course language and open-door bedroom scenes.
May 18, 2022
Don't wait to read this book!
An astonishingly beautiful story of cultural diversity in suburban Australia, where children are free to be friends with others in their street, regardless of race. But as young adults, dating each other is a different story and may be forbidden, depending on family origins, customs and rules. To fight for the right to be together takes courage, sometimes more than they have. And it takes a strong heart, not to choose someone from another culture, but understanding that by doing so they may hurt, and lose, the family they love so dearly. The writing is superb and the story well-crafted. I laughed, cried and cheered. Five Stars.
An astonishingly beautiful story of cultural diversity in suburban Australia, where children are free to be friends with others in their street, regardless of race. But as young adults, dating each other is a different story and may be forbidden, depending on family origins, customs and rules. To fight for the right to be together takes courage, sometimes more than they have. And it takes a strong heart, not to choose someone from another culture, but understanding that by doing so they may hurt, and lose, the family they love so dearly. The writing is superb and the story well-crafted. I laughed, cried and cheered. Five Stars.
September 21, 2021
If you grew up in one of the many multicultural suburbs in Australia - this story will resonate with you. This book is an honest portrayal of the life of so many migrant families and explores themes of family, culture and love. You can’t help but get hooked on the journey of Samira and Caleb as they fall in love in a time when cultural expectations mean their love is forbidden. Another great read by Rania Battany!
August 16, 2021
At its core this book is about love, family and culture. Samira is torn between the love she has for her parents and her family and her desire to be with Caleb. Caleb struggles to understand the strength of cultural ties and how that impacts Samira's life. Ultimately, what will bring them together is learning to understand what heritage and culture truly mean. A beautiful tale of enduring love in a quintessential Australian setting.
August 6, 2021
I received an advanced copy of this book. Where do I start? From the moment I started reading I knew it would be special. Our Own Private Fig Tree is more than a romance, it's a beautiful story of enduring love, family and culture. The writing is just beautiful. Rania paints such vivid images with her words, engaging me from start to finish. A truly beautiful story.
November 8, 2021
Entertaining and easy read. Great story line but predicatable
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews