An Impressive Debut

TITLE: GOOD PEOPLE

AUTHOR: PATMEENA SABIT

PUBLISHER: CROWN PUBLISHING

GENRE: LITERARY FICTION

{Thank you @prhaudio for the gifted audiobook copy of Good People by Patmeena Sabit. This is a full cast audio production which works quite well for the author’s writing style for this book—a unique interview/transcript style. I added a @bookofthemonth copy to my shelves so I can share this one with others.}

The Sharaf family came to the US as refugees from Afghanistan with nothing but the clothes on their back. They were determined to achieve the American Dream of success, wealth, and having a family. Through disciplined work ethic, this dream comes to fruition, but when a tragedy strikes is all what it really seems?

Everyone close to the Sharaf family—neighbors, the Afghani community, reporters, teachers, friends— shares testimony about the Sharaf family—in the aftermath of their teenage daughter’s death—EXCEPT the Sharif’s themselves! A thought-provoking story on immigration, culture, and if a family was actually living the American Dream. It did take me a bit to settle into this story. It wasn’t until I realized it didn’t really matter WHO was speaking, but WHAT they were saying that I felt like I settled in.

This felt like looking into a kaleidoscope…There was so much beauty, but a complexity too. What is the truth? Was Zorah a wild child, not minding rules and her culture? Or was she living in a household that felt more like a prison?

The stylistic choice of this book made it feel very real. I haven’t had a book with these themes affect me as much since I read the underrated gem (IMO) A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

“They say that God hears the prayers of the grieved and suffering louder than others.”

4.5 stars from me, another debut that is an absolute winner and author I will follow to see what’s next!