Whether reflecting on the complexities of travel, justice, rumor, or identity, each debut book on this list invites readers to engage with deeper moral questions.
Airplane Mode: A Passive-Aggressive History of Travel by Shahnaz Habib
Shahnaz Habib, renowned for her translation of the 2018 JCB Prize-winning book, Jasmine Days, entered into the world of travel writing with her debut book, Airplane Mode: A Passive-Aggressive History of Travel, which also won the 2024 New American Voices Award. As a translator, Habib often traveled through languages, making distant and culturally estranged places accessible to English readers. This linguistic journey naturally extended to her writing about real-world adventures. Her book provides a witty and personal account of the history of travel through the perspective of a Muslim woman from the global south. Habib’s unique lens offers a fresh take on travel, seamlessly blending personal anecdotes with broader historical narratives.
The Revenge of Rita Marsh by Nilesha Chauvet
In today’s world, where trust in traditional institutions is waning and social structures seem increasingly fragile, the themes of justice and morality are more pertinent than ever. The complexities of these themes are vividly explored in Nilesha Chauvet’s debut novel, The Revenge of Rita Marsh, that delves into the realm of vigilante justice. The protagonist’s quest for revenge is deeply personal, rooted in the systemic failures that allow predators to thrive, and her mission becomes a stark exploration of justice, power, and retribution in a broken society. It poses uncomfortable questions about what happens when we take justice into our own hands, and how far one can go before the lines between right and wrong blur beyond recognition.
Chronicle of an Hour and a Half by Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari
In an era where social media often distorts the truth, Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari captures the essence of mass hysteria in his debut novel. Set in the fictional village of Vaiga in the Western Ghats, the novel delves into how a simple rumour of an illicit affair spirals out of control within the village’s WhatsApp community. Chronicle of an Hour and a Half is a sharp, timely commentary on the dangers of living in an era of rapid information spread and mass hysteria, asking vital questions about truth, justice, and the consequences of collective belief.
The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
Yasmin Zaher introduces readers to a compelling and unconventional protagonist—a school teacher who is also a fashionista, challenging the stereotypes often associated with both professions. In this debut novel, her Palestinian heritage subtly informs the narrative, grounding the character’s journey in a deeper exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexity of the human experience.
Words Platform Desk
Date 31.12.2024