The Family Tree by Sairish Hussain ★★★★☆

Published : 20th February 2020

Publisher : HQ

Format : Kindle, Paperback, Audio, Hardback

Genre : Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis

Your roots can always lead you home…

Amjad cradles his baby daughter in the middle of the night. He has no time to mourn his wife’s death. Saahil and Zahra, his two small children, are relying on him. Amjad vows to love and protect them always. Years later, Saahil and his best friend, Ehsan, have finished university and are celebrating with friends. But when the night turns dangerous, its devastating effects will ripple through the years to come. Zahra’s world is alight with politics and activism. But she is now her father’s only source of comfort, and worries she’ll never have time for her own aspirations. Life has taken her small family in different directions – will they ever find their way back to each other?

My Review

Thank you HQ for this touching, heartfelt read, it was a pleasure to enjoy.

This is a very heart rendering, emotional story wrapped around family and the love and loss that comes with it.

This story tells of a British Muslim family between the dates of February 1993 up to the present day. The story opens with the birth of a baby, Zahra and the devastating loss of her mother. The father, Amjad is left alone to raise the baby and son, Sahill alone with only the grandmother to help.

This first chapter really touched me and I had a lump in my throat for the sadness that I could feel expressed through those first few pages.

This is a beautifully written story, that feels skirts very close to reality. Muslim life is a strong influence throughout and you get a real feel for there views.

Wrapped up in the story is the 9/11 incident and a grown up Sahill disappears without a trace for ten years after his graduation, which puts a real emotional strain on their father and Zahra feels she has to grow up to fast to compensate for that.

I felt this was a very emotional read that takes you through the tribulations of muslim family life. I definitely feel I gained a much deeper understanding of the Muslim culture the more I read. At times I was laughing out loud whilst others I needed a few tissues.

The sibling love in this story is truly endearing.

I most definitely recommend this light hearted beautifully written story.