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A review by nadiamasood
Hidden Fires by Sairish Hussain
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an incredible story of family, healing, hope, and resilience!
Set in Bradford in 2017 (around the time of the Grenfell Tower fire), this book tells the story of the relationship between an 80-year-old grandfather and his 16-year-old granddaughter. Both are quietly struggling with their problems while trying to maintain a facade that everything is fine.
I absolutely love how these two generations overcome their cultural and personal differences to rebuild their bond and rediscover the strength of family. It’s a journey filled with both heartache and hope. The author delves into the PTSD of someone who witnessed and lost loved ones during the horrifying events of the India-Pakistan partition in 1947, the loneliness of old age, and the challenges of dementia. The grandfather’s struggle to hold his life together while silently dealing with aging and memory loss is heartbreaking.
Then there’s his teenage granddaughter, whose father is a workaholic and burnt out from caring for his chronically ill wife. Not wanting to burden her parents further, she hides the fact that she’s being fat-shamed and bullied at school and is self-harming as a result.
What makes this book truly special is how the author handles such heavy themes with warmth and care. Hussain infuses love and even laughter into the tensest moments. The bond and love that develops between the grandfather and granddaughter is so precious! I also appreciate how the book beautifully illustrates how Eastern family values adapt and thrive in a Western setting, making it both poignant and relatable.
The writing is beautiful, the character growth is well-written, and the ending is satisfying.
Hidden Fire is perfect for readers who are looking for stories that amplify voices from underrepresented communities. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates stories about overcoming personal tragedies and finding hope amidst adversity.
Set in Bradford in 2017 (around the time of the Grenfell Tower fire), this book tells the story of the relationship between an 80-year-old grandfather and his 16-year-old granddaughter. Both are quietly struggling with their problems while trying to maintain a facade that everything is fine.
I absolutely love how these two generations overcome their cultural and personal differences to rebuild their bond and rediscover the strength of family. It’s a journey filled with both heartache and hope. The author delves into the PTSD of someone who witnessed and lost loved ones during the horrifying events of the India-Pakistan partition in 1947, the loneliness of old age, and the challenges of dementia. The grandfather’s struggle to hold his life together while silently dealing with aging and memory loss is heartbreaking.
Then there’s his teenage granddaughter, whose father is a workaholic and burnt out from caring for his chronically ill wife. Not wanting to burden her parents further, she hides the fact that she’s being fat-shamed and bullied at school and is self-harming as a result.
What makes this book truly special is how the author handles such heavy themes with warmth and care. Hussain infuses love and even laughter into the tensest moments. The bond and love that develops between the grandfather and granddaughter is so precious! I also appreciate how the book beautifully illustrates how Eastern family values adapt and thrive in a Western setting, making it both poignant and relatable.
The writing is beautiful, the character growth is well-written, and the ending is satisfying.
Hidden Fire is perfect for readers who are looking for stories that amplify voices from underrepresented communities. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates stories about overcoming personal tragedies and finding hope amidst adversity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Body shaming