When We Were Sisters

Three Muslim-American sisters navigate life after their father's death leaves them orphaned in Chicago. Now in their uncle's care, they must hold onto their bond while confronting grief, cultural expectations, and the challenges of growing up. Fatimah Asghar's debut novel draws from her experience as a poet, incorporating lyrical elements while maintaining a clear narrative structure. The story moves between time periods, showing the evolution of the sisters' relationship as they face various obstacles together and apart. This coming-of-age tale explores themes of family bonds, identity, and survival. Through the sisters' experiences, the novel examines how trauma and loss shape sibling relationships, while highlighting the complexity of navigating multiple cultural worlds.

Readers found this novel raw and emotionally impactful in its portrayal of three Muslim American sisters navigating loss and family bonds. The story resonated particularly with readers from immigrant families and those who experienced childhood trauma. Readers appreciated: - The poetic, lyrical writing style - Authentic representation of South Asian Muslim culture - Complex sibling relationships - The balance of heavy themes with moments of joy - The blend of different narrative formats Common criticisms: - Pacing felt uneven in parts - Some found the nonlinear structure confusing - Character development of secondary characters felt limited Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 Reader quote: "The prose reads like poetry but hits like a punch to the gut" - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted they finished the book in one sitting, though others mentioned needing breaks due to the emotional intensity of certain scenes.

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★ Fatimah Asghar is also an acclaimed poet and screenwriter, known for creating the Emmy-nominated web series "Brown Girls" which explores the friendship between two young women of color in Chicago. ★ The book draws from Asghar's personal experience of being orphaned at a young age and raised by her siblings, bringing authenticity to the narrative's exploration of sisterly bonds. ★ Before writing "When We Were Sisters," Asghar published a poetry collection titled "If They Come for Us" (2018), which addresses similar themes of family, identity, and belonging in the Muslim American experience. ★ The novel's structure incorporates elements of Urdu poetry and storytelling traditions, blending cultural literary forms with contemporary American fiction. ★ The book received the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction and was named one of the best books of 2022 by NPR, TIME, and Publishers Weekly.