Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

A Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia's, wedding - a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla must now contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to their son's estrangement - the reckoning of parents who strove to pass on their cultures and traditions to their children; and of children who in turn struggle to balance authenticity in themselves with loyalty to the home they came from.

In a narrative that spans decades and sees family life through the eyes of each member, A Place For Us charts the crucial moments in the family's past, from the bonds that bring them together to the differences that pull them apart. And as siblings Hadia, Huda, and Amar attempt to carve out a life for themselves, they must reconcile their present culture with their parent's faith, to tread a path between the old world and the new, and learn how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest of betrayals.

A deeply affecting and resonant story, A Place for Us is truly a book for our times: a moving portrait of what it means to be an American family today, a novel of love, identity and belonging that eloquently examines what it means to be both American and Muslim -- and announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.

Would people say this counts as a multi-generational saga? I had it there on my list but I’m questions it a bit after actually reading it.

Regardless, I absolutely loved it. I was very ‘meh’ about it for the first 2/3 or so, largely because the story structure wasn’t grabbing me. I noticed that when I actually started reading it, I was really enthralled. But it didn’t have that pull to pick it up, since it doesn’t really have a continuing storyline.

But the ending was phenomenal. The author is extremely talented at evoking strong emotions and somehow makes you so immersed in the final chapter to truly grieve for the characters and connect it to your own life, all at the same time.

In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t rush through the beginning. I think it’s more genuine to life, since it was meant to portray true memories. So I think it was appropriate to take my time with it and really sit with the story for a while.

Laura wrote: "Would people say this counts as a multi-generational saga? I had it there on my list but I’m questions it a bit after actually reading it.

Regardless, I absolutely loved it. I was very ‘meh’ about..."

I would count this as it tells the story from points of view of people in different generations.

I also loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author. I read this a few months ago so I may not be remembering correctly, but I prefer all plot-lines to be tied up by the end of the book, and I didn't feel that this happened. I just wish we had had an ending from Amar's point of view.