An Observer Best Book of 2020
'A story of quiet striving and determination, of love and friendship' Guardian
It is New Year's Eve, 1960. Hashim has left behind his homeland and his bride, Munira, to seek his fortune in England. His cousin and only friend, Rofikul, introduces Hashim to life in Manchester - including Rofikul's girlfriend, Helen. When Munira arrives, the group must learn what it is to be a family.
Over the next twenty years, they make their way in the new country - putting down roots and building a home. But when war breaks out in East Pakistan, the struggle for liberation and the emergence of Bangladesh raises questions about identity, belonging and loyalty.
Hashim & Family is a story of family ties, of migration and of a connection to home, and is the debut of an extraordinary new talent.
Publisher: John Murray Press
ISBN: 9781473665224
Number of pages: 400
Weight: 620 g
Dimensions: 238 x 160 x 40 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
A riveting debut inspired by the writer's personal immigrant experience . . . An exquisite epic about the ties each of us share with our family and homeland * Bookriot *
A likeable celebration of female friendship as well as the often unsung heroism of migrant experiences * Sunday Times Culture *
Shahnaz Ahsan recalls how shopping and cooking with her Bengali family in Manchester shaped her life and her debut novel * Observer Food Monthly *
A story of quiet striving and determination, of love and friendship * Guardian *
Ahsan's biggest triumph is that her characters feel innately Bangladeshi . . . Her flowing prose is impressive with an ease and smoothness to it * Daily Star *
A wonderful, enriching read, everything I want in a novel: epic, engaging, insightful and honest * Observer New Review *
You may also be interested in...
“A new writer to look out for in the future.”
A story of immigration in the 1960s - Hashim comes over from East Pakistan to create a new life in the UK; he starts off in Manchester with his cousin Rofikul, who has made the same journey a few years previous. We... More
“Insightful and honest”
An insightful and eye opening read on joining the UK in the 60s as a Bangladeshi family (at that time Pakistan) the culture shock, racism, different beliefs and day to day difference they have to learn to cope/deal... More
“If you loved Andrea Levy’s wonderful Small Island or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s brilliant Half of a Yellow Sun, you will enjoy Hashim & Family”
Hashim & Family by Shahnaz Ahsan is a great book. For me books that are rooted in the context of their time and place always have a special pull. Hashim & Family is no exception with its wide range of... More
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?