Hidden Fires

How can you live in the present when you’re trying to bury the past? Readers are loving : Praise for : ‘A sweeping tale of resilience’ 'An ineffably touching novel by a talented young author' 'Harrowing yet uplifting…A visceral exploration of family, identity and loss' Ramadan, 2017. Miles away, Rubi is also awake. On the television, she watches reports of a devastating fire in London. She is already anxious when her parents send her to stay with her Grandpa Yusuf, whose conservative house rules are almost as unbearable as the loneliness she feels at home. Yusuf’s lifestyle does not gel with Rubi’s. But when she finds him scared and confused one night, it becomes clear that there’s more to her grandfather than Rubi ever considered. As Yusuf grapples with the past, Rubi is determined to save him. But the memories that are recovered and spoken of for the first time in years are more painful than she could have imagined. From the Costa Prize-shortlisted author of and Women's Prize x Futures Finalist, is a powerful story of grief and loss, the power of family and the long arm of history. ‘A heartbreaking, emotional rollercoaster of a read’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘A must read book’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘An exquisite book exploring the secrets, vulnerabilities and tremendous bonds between three generations of family’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'What a stunning read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'It's profound and humane and loving' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The style of writing is beautiful, eloquent, as if you are reading Urdu prose' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Such a powerful novel. I could not put it down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Moved me to tears' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A tale of how we can live together yet be so far apart, and of how bridges can be built ‘ The New Arab ‘There are not only hidden fires in this novel, but myriad hidden lives … It treats difficult, serious subjects of buried trauma with real care, combined with a lightness of touch that carries the novel with humour, surprise and love’