An Unlasting Home: A Novel

"An Unlasting Home: A Novel" by Mai Al-Nakib is a sweeping and deeply moving family saga that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of love and loss against the backdrop of Kuwait's tumultuous history. Praised by the Los Angeles Review of Books as "so fresh and unsettling that it will enchant you from the first page," this multigenerational novel invites readers into the heart of a Kuwaiti family grappling with personal and political upheaval. This book has been compared to Hala Alyans Salt Houses, The Arsonists City, Ayad Akhtars Homeland Elegies, and Min Jin Lees Pachinko. The story centers on Sara, a philosophy professor at Kuwait University who returns to her homeland after studying at Berkeley following the sudden death of her mother. Sara's life is a mix of intellectual pursuits and a complicated relationship with Kuwait, a place she simultaneously longs to leave and feels tethered to. Her closest companions are the eccentric Bebe Mitu, her grandmother's talking parrot; Aasif, the family cook; and Maria, her devoted ayah, who has been a constant presence throughout her life. Sara's world is thrown into turmoil when her lectures on Nietzsche spark accusations of blasphemy, a charge that carries severe consequences. Faced with the threat of execution, she is compelled to confront her feelings about Kuwait and her place within it. This personal crisis forces her on a journey of self-discovery and a search for meaning amidst cultural and political tensions. Interwoven with Sara's narrative are the captivating stories of the women who came before her. The novel delves into the lives of her grandmothers: Yasmine, a woman of beauty and unwavering will, who marries the son of the Pasha of Basra; and Lulwa, a woman born into poverty in old Kuwait, who finds herself transported to a lavish estate in India through marriage. We also encounter Sara's two mothers: Noura, who envisions a life in America, shaping Middle Eastern policies; and Maria, the devoted ayah who leaves her own children behind in Pune to raise Sara and her brother, Karim, profoundly impacting the family's destiny. Al-Nakib masterfully crafts a narrative that spans nearly a century, from the 1920s to the present day. "An Unlasting Home" charts Kuwait's transformation from a humble pearl-diving community to a thriving cosmopolitan hub, and the devastating impact of the Iraqi invasion. The novel offers a poignant exploration of Kuwaiti identity, shaped by tradition, modernization, and the ever-present specter of political instability. More than just a family saga, "An Unlasting Home" is a powerful commentary on the complexities of cultural identity, the enduring bonds of family, and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing world. It's a story of resilience, love, and the courage to confront one's past in order to forge a meaningful future. It invites readers to contemplate the true meaning of "home" and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. This book is a must-read for those interested in Middle Eastern literature, women's fiction, and stories that explore the intersection of personal and political landscapes. Readers who enjoyed the works mentioned above, or authors like Khaled Hosseini and Mohsin Hamid, will find themselves captivated by Al-Nakib's masterful storytelling. This debut novel is a testament to the power of narrative to illuminate the human condition and offer a window into a world both familiar and profoundly different.