Reproduction of the original: A Rainy June and Other Stories by Louise de la Ramée

Ouida's 'A Rainy June, and Other Stories' is a collection of captivating short stories that explore the themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Written in a lyrical and poetic style, Ouida's prose transports the reader to the romantic and often tragic worlds she creates. The stories are rich in descriptive language and vivid imagery, showcasing Ouida's talent for painting emotional landscapes with words. Set in the late 19th century, the book reflects the Romanticism of the Victorian era, with a focus on emotional depth and moral dilemmas. Each story delves into the innermost thoughts and feelings of the characters, revealing their desires and struggles in a poignant manner. Ouida's intricate storytelling and insightful character portrayals make 'A Rainy June, and Other Stories' a compelling read for anyone interested in classic literature and human emotions.

On 16 June 1957, a shoot-out in a village church in northern Lebanon leaves two dozen people dead. In the aftermath of the massacre, the town is rent in two: the Al-Ramis in the north and their rivals the Al-Samaeenis in the south. But lives once so closely intertwined cannot easily be divided. Neighbours turn into enemies and husbands and wives are forced to choose between loyalty to each other and loyalty to their clan. Drawing on an actual killing that took place in his home town, Douaihy reconstructs that June day from the viewpoints of people who witnessed the killing or whose lives were forever altered by it. A young girl overhears her father lending his gun to his cousins, but refusing to accompany them to the church. A school boy walks past the dead bodies, laid out in the town square on beds brought out from the houses. A baker whose shop is trapped on the wrong side of the line hopes the women who buy his bread will protect him. At the center of the portrait is Eliyya, who, twenty years after emigrating to the US, returns to the village to learn about the father who was shot through the heart in the massacre, the father he never knew. With a masterful eye for detail, Douaihy reconstructs that fateful June Sunday when rain poured from the sky and the traditions and affections of village life were consumed by violence and revenge.