A Place for Us: A Novel
As an Indian wedding gathers a family back together, parents Rafiq and Layla must reckon with the choices their children have made. There is Hadia: their headstrong, eldest daughter, whose marriage is a match of love and not tradition. Huda, the middle child, determined to follow in her sister’s footsteps. And lastly, their estranged son, Amar, who returns to the family fold for the first time in three years to take his place as brother of the bride. What secrets and betrayals have caused this close-knit family to fracture? Can Amar find his way back to the people who know and love him best? A Place for Us takes us back to the beginning of this family’s life: from the bonds that bring them together, to the differences that pull them apart. All the joy and struggle of family life is here, from Rafiq and Layla’s own arrival in America from India, to the years in which their children—each in their own way—tread between two cultures, seeking to find their place in the world, as well as a path home. A Place for Us is a book for our times: an astonishingly tender-hearted novel of identity and belonging, and a resonant portrait of what it means to be an American family today. It announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.
A Place for Us: A Novel by Fatima Farheen Mirza is a poignant and moving story about a Muslim American family living in California. The novel follows the lives of three siblings, Hadia, Huda, and Amar, as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a bicultural household and the complexities of their faith.
Hadia, the eldest sister, is a devout Muslim who struggles with her identity as a Pakistani American. She feels torn between her traditional upbringing and the desire to assimilate into American culture. Huda, the middle sister, is a rebellious and outspoken artist who clashes with her parents' expectations. Amar, the youngest brother, is a sensitive and intelligent young man who is trying to find his place in the world.
The novel explores the themes of identity, belonging, and faith through the experiences of the three siblings. As they navigate the challenges of growing up, they learn to accept themselves and their place in the world. A Place for Us is a beautifully written novel that offers a nuanced and insightful look at the lives of Muslim Americans.
Praise for A Place for Us:
- "A powerful and moving story about family, faith, and identity."—The New York Times Book Review
- "A beautifully written novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it."—Entertainment Weekly
- "A must-read for anyone interested in contemporary American literature."—The Washington Post
- "A Place for Us is a powerful and moving story about the challenges of growing up Muslim in America."—The Guardian
About the Author:
Fatima Farheen Mirza is a Pakistani American writer. She was born in California and raised in Illinois. A Place for Us is her debut novel.
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