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Cover of WHAT REMAINS AFTER A FIRE
4.70

Based on 37 Goodreads ratings

WHAT REMAINS AFTER A FIRE

by and Kaki hide their Christian faith and move to a Muslim neighborhood, where Ruby falls in love with a man named Samuel and begins working for a wealthy widow named Tanya. Kaki begins to feel at home among these people, along with a new friend, Fatima. However, Kaki must grapple with the fact that this new iteration of her mother is a woman who primarily looks out for herself, and that financial security and friendships can shatter at any time. There are several chilling moments in the book—Javed does not shy away from tragedy and the darker sides of human nature—but the ending of this story is by far the most haunting. This collection is one to be admired, particularly for how it powerfully depicts Pakistani women (both in Pakistan and the U.S.) yearning for lives they have had ripped from them by patriarchy or prejudice. “We are catacombs of trauma,” Javed writes, “reservoirs of hurt.” Even so, these stories uplift the idea that we will all come upon an opportunity to be purified, whether in life or death."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781324111

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This powerful novel explores the aftermath of a devastating house fire that leaves a teenage girl grappling with loss, trauma, and the painful process of rebuilding her life. The narrative delves int...

Our Review

This powerful novel explores the aftermath of a devastating house fire that leaves a teenage girl grappling with loss, trauma, and the painful process of rebuilding her life. The narrative delves into the emotional wreckage that lingers long after the flames are extinguished, examining what it means to survive when everything familiar has turned to ash. Through raw, authentic prose, the story captures the complex journey of piecing together identity and memory from the fragments that remain.

Young adult readers navigating their own challenges will find resonance in this poignant exploration of resilience and healing. The author handles difficult themes with sensitivity and depth, creating a narrative that balances heartbreak with hope in equal measure. This emotionally charged coming-of-age story ultimately reveals how even the most profound losses can give way to new beginnings and unexpected strength.

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