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No God But Us
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Expected 26 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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25 copies available
U.S. only
In this seductive, provocative debut, two gay Afghan men—cast out of their respective countries of birth by circumstances beyond their control—collide in Istanbul, a city that will test their willingness to sacrifice everything for the ones they love.
When Delbar—a hapless twenty-something with dreams of becoming a drag queen—is spectacularly outed, he flees the insular immigrant-dense suburbs of Washington, DC to seek refuge with his sympathetic aunt in Istanbul. There, he discovers a vibrant community of dissidents, sex workers, activists, poets, and heretics. Among them are Leif and his boyfriend, Mansur, with whom Delbar quickly develops a blazing fascination.
But Mansur also nurses a wounded heart, having left his own family, and his first love, behind in Iran. This time, Mansur’s learned not to dream bigger than his own survival. He’ll keep a low profile, work hard to send money back, and remain faithful to Leif—at least until his refugee status is granted.
When riot police descend on attendees of the annual Istanbul Pride march, Mansur and Delbar are thrust into dangerous proximity. With the country surging into authoritarianism, each person must ask what constitutes a life well-lived, and how high is the price of freedom?
Told through the alternating viewpoints of Delbar and Mansur, Bobuq Sayed’s debut is a story of borders and boundaries transgressed, and a deeply engrossing exploration of what it means to make a home at the margins of society. At once an immigrant family saga, a thwarted love story, and a searing portrait of politics made intimately personal, No God but Us is an ambitious introduction to a bold new voice.
When Delbar—a hapless twenty-something with dreams of becoming a drag queen—is spectacularly outed, he flees the insular immigrant-dense suburbs of Washington, DC to seek refuge with his sympathetic aunt in Istanbul. There, he discovers a vibrant community of dissidents, sex workers, activists, poets, and heretics. Among them are Leif and his boyfriend, Mansur, with whom Delbar quickly develops a blazing fascination.
But Mansur also nurses a wounded heart, having left his own family, and his first love, behind in Iran. This time, Mansur’s learned not to dream bigger than his own survival. He’ll keep a low profile, work hard to send money back, and remain faithful to Leif—at least until his refugee status is granted.
When riot police descend on attendees of the annual Istanbul Pride march, Mansur and Delbar are thrust into dangerous proximity. With the country surging into authoritarianism, each person must ask what constitutes a life well-lived, and how high is the price of freedom?
Told through the alternating viewpoints of Delbar and Mansur, Bobuq Sayed’s debut is a story of borders and boundaries transgressed, and a deeply engrossing exploration of what it means to make a home at the margins of society. At once an immigrant family saga, a thwarted love story, and a searing portrait of politics made intimately personal, No God but Us is an ambitious introduction to a bold new voice.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
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About the author
Bobuq Sayed
7 books5 followersBobuq Sayed is an Afghan cultural worker. They are the author of A Brief History of Australian Terror, a chapbook forthcoming from Common Room Editions in 2024, and the co-editor of Nothing to Hide: Voices From Trans and Gender Diverse Australia(Allen and Unwin).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2026
I’ve never read anything like No God but Us, and there will never be anything quite like it, either. It’s a remarkable book—glittery, shimmering, astonishing.
Two Afghan protagonists, both forced to find new lives for themselves after being outed in excruciating ways, end up in each other’s orbit. Delbar, who dreams of becoming a drag queen and Mansur, who wants to be loved as hard as he has so often loved others. In Istanbul, the two meet when they find refuge in a queer community—activists, artists, poets, all weaving in and out of a company called PeaceMeals, which is run by Mansur’s partner, Leif.
Their connection is immediate, even if the ability to act upon it is not. Absolutely blistering to behold.
In every queer novel that I pick up, what I am hoping to find is the real grittiness of life. That is what the reader lucky enough to read this will find. A story wrapped around love, refuge, immigration and, above all, queerness. It is as lovely as the cover that binds it.
Thank you to the publisher for an early review copy, in exchange for a review!
Two Afghan protagonists, both forced to find new lives for themselves after being outed in excruciating ways, end up in each other’s orbit. Delbar, who dreams of becoming a drag queen and Mansur, who wants to be loved as hard as he has so often loved others. In Istanbul, the two meet when they find refuge in a queer community—activists, artists, poets, all weaving in and out of a company called PeaceMeals, which is run by Mansur’s partner, Leif.
Their connection is immediate, even if the ability to act upon it is not. Absolutely blistering to behold.
In every queer novel that I pick up, what I am hoping to find is the real grittiness of life. That is what the reader lucky enough to read this will find. A story wrapped around love, refuge, immigration and, above all, queerness. It is as lovely as the cover that binds it.
Thank you to the publisher for an early review copy, in exchange for a review!
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August 1, 2025In a powerful debut, Bobuq Sayed reveals how forces of rejection from state and family meet the alchemy of attraction, desire and belonging. NO GOD BUT US not only expands American literature, but also Muslim, gay male, and migration writing, A new kind of novel, with vast geographies of nation and heart.
Want to read
November 8, 2025just pre-ordered - I heard the author read an excerpt of this at an event in gowanus. The prose was stunning, the character voices were strong, AND it made me laugh! v excited for this debut
February 4, 2026
This novel provides a new and important perspective, that of queerness intersected by forced migration. The way it shows how the uncertainty of migration status impacts the lives of many people and how being who you are could put you in this position is addressed in a powerful way.
I think having to Afghan protagonists and what it implies being queer for this culture, brings a perspective not often seen in queer literature and media.
The timelines were a bit confusing for moments (even though each chapter is dated) and I feel that for moments there were too many chaotic scenes happening and too many secondary characters. But overall it is a great debut novel.
I think having to Afghan protagonists and what it implies being queer for this culture, brings a perspective not often seen in queer literature and media.
The timelines were a bit confusing for moments (even though each chapter is dated) and I feel that for moments there were too many chaotic scenes happening and too many secondary characters. But overall it is a great debut novel.
Want to read
February 4, 2026I'm very excited for this and have insanely high expectations
Review of advance copy
Excellent book!!!
Want to read
February 18, 2026i love a debut
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bobuq is so incredibly talented and this writing is as gorgeous as it is moving. It’s also genuinely very funny, you’ll enjoy the hell out of this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews