Samar Yazbek's daring novel, 'The Scent of Cinnamon,' tells the story of Hanan, a young woman drawn into an intense and exploitative relationship with her older landlady in Damascus. The narrative provides a raw and unflinching look into the hidden corners of Syrian society, confronting taboos of class, power, and sexuality. Through a haunting and visceral first-person account, the book explores the dark complexities of survival and the psychological violence inflicted by a deeply patriarchal and oppressive system, making for a powerful and unsettling read.