Today’s reviewer is Sakinah, who loves reading, walking in the woods and gardening. She also loves catching up with friends or family over a cup of tea and cake. Her favourite cake is lemon drizzle.
Title: Hidden Fires
Author: Saarish Hussain
Genre: Adult Fiction
Summary: Ruby is a teenage girl struggling with anxiety, body image and self harm. Her father, an over- worked social worker and carer of his wife, who suffers from a long term illness, does not have much time to spare for his only child, Ruby.
When Ruby’s grandmother passes away in Spain her father decides to leave her in the care of her paternal grandfather Yusuf, in another city. Ruby is perturbed by the idea of living away from home with her elderly grandfather who she barely knows. His religious rituals and old fashioned ideas are enough to drive her to the edge.
However, over time, she comes to realise that she is not the only one facing internal struggles. Her grandfather, she discovers is battling with deep seated trauma and horrific memories of his own.
During the short time they spend together, Ruby and Yusuf establish a wonderful bond that leads to emotional healing for the pair of them.
Verdict: I enjoyed this book because the author covered a variety of different themes that are current issues of contention in today’s society, such as over-worked parents, stretched social services, self- harm, anxiety and bullying amongst teenagers and loneliness and isolation amongst the elderly.
I particularly enjoyed the author’s coverage of Yusuf’s traumatic memories of living through the partition of India and Pakistan in a sensitive yet informative manner.
I felt that the author also broke many of the age-old stereotypes of British Muslim families, which was refreshing and encouraging to read.
You can find Hidden Fires here Search Results for Hidden Fires
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