Formby woman's books inspired by her life in war torn Syria

Angela Hilal was forced to leave Syria due the civil war.

A Formby woman forced to flee Syria due to the fighting is signing copies of her book in the village tomorrow, Saturday 25th April.

Angela Hilal, who grew up in Formby, is currently promoting her debut novel Syrian Coffee, which is set in Aleppo, Syria. It tells the story of a group of British women living who meet for coffee in the mid 90s. The story then shifts forward to 2013, when the violence shatters their way of life.

A Syrian man cries while holding the body of his son killed by the Syrian Army near Dar El Shifa hospital in Aleppo, Syria in October

Anglea went to Seafield Grammar, and then studied at the University fo Manchester, where she met her future husband Hassan. The couple move to Hassan's home town in the early 1970s.

The couple have two sons and a daughter, who are now adults. Angela was forced to leave Syria due to the civil war , but hopes to return to Aleppo later this year.

A Free Syrian Army fighter aims his weapon during clashes with government forces in Aleppo

Angela said: "I have lost two friends in the violence, although so far my family has not been directly affected. The windows of our house were blow out, but nobody was injured. We were hugely relieved when the Commons voted against the motion to back the rebels. More guns is never a solution to violence."

Angela recently took part in an independent book fair at Foyes Books shop in London, after being sponsored by a Scottish independent writers collective, due to the quality of her work.

She added: "I hope to return to Aleppo later this year. My husband thinks it is safer now."

Angela will be signing copies of her book at The Olde Book Shop in Brows Lane tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Story and Photos Source: Southport Visiter