Asghar and Zahra: A John Murray Original

Asghar and Zahra are childhood friends who grow up into very different people, with Asghar being shy and nervous and Zahra being ambitious. The novel opens on their wedding day, with painful secrets from the past throwing the relationship off-balance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2019
Publisher: John Murray Press

Childhood friends Asghar and Zahra, born into the same British Muslim community in west London, grew up into vastly different individuals. Asghar, a shy and nervous boy, hesitated to venture beyond the comfort zone of his family. On the other hand, Zahra was an ambitious woman who had recently completed her degree at Cambridge.

The novel begins on their wedding day, as friends and family wonder what could have brought this peculiar couple together. However, their honeymoon takes a comically disastrous turn, and painful secrets from the past further destabilize their relationship. Additionally, a sinister preacher becomes increasingly interested in them.

"Asghar and Zahra" is a humorous, empathetic, and incredibly human novel that delves into the challenges of navigating the first year of marriage while reconciling the often conflicting demands of family, religion, and society. This debut work showcases the remarkable talent of its author.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 137 x 214 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473697225