There was so much cruelty in the part of the book before the actual story of Ava, Nate, Idris, Mazda, etc began. I wonder about the relationship of the former friends Idris and Zacaria . It appears the love each had for Mazda must have come between them. I find myself wanting to know more about them even as the story years after this begins to unfold. I think there will be an interesting story here to read as the family returns to Beirut and the house which has been left to 5he family.