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The Strangling Fig
Not yet published
Expected 13 Aug 26An extraordinary and beautiful novel about how understanding our past can pave the way for a hopeful future.
Hyderabad, 1946
Ashraf is asleep in her mother’s bed when her father is murdered on the eve of Partition. She may as well have lost her mother that day too, and her fight to connect with her mother will follow her to America, seeping into who she is as a daughter, a lover, a mother, a wife, and be felt through the next generation of women.
California, 2002
Seher is sixteen years old when she first sees her grandmother’s ghost. Feeling lost and abandoned by her own mother, Seher clings to Ashraf’s ghost, and it becomes the guiding presence she has always craved. But as Seher starts to move forward with her life, it becomes clear that Ashraf’s support comes at a cost.
Elegantly woven and beautifully crafted, The Strangling Fig weaves together the lives and histories of women who are bound by blood and spirit. With a lyrical narrative that dances between memory and reality, it explores the delicate balance between love and loss, inviting readers to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the ghosts that shape our identities.
****
Hyderabad, 1946
Ashraf is asleep in her mother’s bed when her father is murdered on the eve of Partition. She may as well have lost her mother that day too, and her fight to connect with her mother will follow her to America, seeping into who she is as a daughter, a lover, a mother, a wife, and be felt through the next generation of women.
California, 2002
Seher is sixteen years old when she first sees her grandmother’s ghost. Feeling lost and abandoned by her own mother, Seher clings to Ashraf’s ghost, and it becomes the guiding presence she has always craved. But as Seher starts to move forward with her life, it becomes clear that Ashraf’s support comes at a cost.
Elegantly woven and beautifully crafted, The Strangling Fig weaves together the lives and histories of women who are bound by blood and spirit. With a lyrical narrative that dances between memory and reality, it explores the delicate balance between love and loss, inviting readers to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the ghosts that shape our identities.
****
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I chose The Strangling Fig by Fauzia Musa because I’m often drawn to multi-generational family sagas, especially those with complex relationships set against big moments in history. This one weaves together Partition-era India and the experience of moving to America, with dual timelines and an unexpected, central relationship between Seher and her grandmother.
There’s a lot going on; identity, grief, disappointment, expectations, memory, and how we inherit family trauma. I did enjoy the book, and I appreciated the writing, but it did require quite a bit of focus to keep track of the different characters and timelines. At times, I found myself losing my place slightly.
That said, I did connect with the characters, and I really liked that this book felt different. The relationship between Seher and her grandmother becomes increasingly intense and ultimately comes to a head in a way that feels quite clever and original.
I also came to understand the title, and it fits perfectly. I received a free advance review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
There’s a lot going on; identity, grief, disappointment, expectations, memory, and how we inherit family trauma. I did enjoy the book, and I appreciated the writing, but it did require quite a bit of focus to keep track of the different characters and timelines. At times, I found myself losing my place slightly.
That said, I did connect with the characters, and I really liked that this book felt different. The relationship between Seher and her grandmother becomes increasingly intense and ultimately comes to a head in a way that feels quite clever and original.
I also came to understand the title, and it fits perfectly. I received a free advance review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
December 2, 2025
Beautifully written debut novel, the past and present are woven together as seamlessly as the political and the personal. I love how we experience the real impact of Partition through the generations of women in the story. I also love the way in which Seher’s relationship with her grandmother’s ghost quickly spirals. Engaging, thought provoking and heart breaking. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews