Radiant Fugitives is a radiant, rare book, exploring all the contradictions in the life of Seema, an upper-class, liberal political consultant, a lesbian from a conservative Muslim family. She is an Indian American who is drawn to and repulsed by the family who forced her to leave India due to her queerness, yet they extend love again when she is alone, pregnant and her mother is dying. With warm and often humorous tones, we meet Seema’s sister, Tahera, a caring member of her Muslim community, but who is also rigid, hurtful, and thinks her sister will “return to heterosexuality.” The novel depicts the delights of devout religious practice even as it portrays the pleasures of queer community, shows us the warm dream of biological family ties while ruthlessly puncturing the illusions surrounding them.
Radiant Fugitives by Nawaaz Ahmed. Published by Counterpoint. The editor is Dan Smetanka and the agent is Anjali Singh. Radiant Fugitives is a finalist for the Publishing Triangle’s Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction; the winner will be announced on May 11.