A New Year
About the Book
Suad misses her husband. He died unexpectedly during an argument at work, and she never got to say goodbye. But Suad knows she is lucky. Her three children have promised to look after her. After several false starts, she receives a warm welcome from her oldest son and settles down with his family in the countryside.
Everything goes smoothly – at first. Her grandchildren love her freshly baked falafel and watching TV together. But as the months pass, the relationship between Suad and her daughter-in-law grow tense. Her daughter-in-law accuses Suad of interfering with her grandchildren, stops talking to her, then finally asks Suad to leave the house altogether.
Suad must brave living alone. She sets out on a new life for herself, determined to make the best of it. How can she budget for just one person? How can she fill the long hours of the day? And will the neighbours warm to her?
About the Author
Leila Aboulela is an award-winning novelist whose work has received critical recognition for its distinctive exploration of identity, migration and Islamic spirituality. Her novels have been translated into fifteen languages and include Bird Summons, Minaret, The Translator (a New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year), The Kindness of Enemies and Lyrics Alley (Fiction Winner of the Scottish Book Awards). Aboulela was the first winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing and her short story collection, Elsewhere, Home won the Saltire Fiction Book of the Year Award. Aboulela grew up in Sudan and in her mid-twenties moved to Scotland where she now resides.
Reviews
'Leila Aboulela holds a unique place in Scottish literature … Her narratives glow with a rare beauty, a shining sensual awareness of the joy of life.' The Scotsman
'Leila Aboulela is a writer of flair and compassion.' New Internationalist
'Aboulela is the kind of writer from whom British people need to hear.' The Telegraph
