Far Away from Here: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Far Away from Hereis a novel about three young Black American Muslims on the cusp of adulthood confronting faith, tradition, and the impact of their personal decisions in five years post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

In New Orleans, its been five years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the heart and soul of both the city and its residents. Three young Black Muslim friends have reconnected after drifting apart as teenagers: Fatima left with the floodwaters of Katrina following the murder of her childhood love and fianc, Wakeel, and has now returned to reluctantly care for Wakeels mother. Tahani rebelled against a strict Muslim upbringing and feels stifled in her life as a single mother, trying to make ends meet while craving a creative outlet. And Saif, the cousin of Wakeel, must reconcile with Fatima over how his illicit past played a role in his cousins death.

All three struggle to envision a future for themselves that they can actively shape. A testament to the stories we tell ourselves and each other, Far Away From Here is a coming-of-age novel threaded with themes of community, tradition, faith, and the courage to own ones narrative.

Author Bio

Ambata Kaziwas born and raised in New Orleans, LA. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop with a master of fine arts. Her short stories have been published inCarve,Muslim American Writers at Home,midnight & indigo,CRAFT,and other journals and anthologies.Far Away from Hereis her first novel. She lives in New Orleans, LA.