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Turbulence
This introspective tale charts the bumpy journey of a young Muslim woman navigating faith and feminism.
Aspiring documentary-maker Dunya Dawood had exciting plans for her career, until she fell in love. Pregnant and on a flight to New York a decade later, she is upgraded to business class and separated from her husband and son. Away, for once, from her life of domesticity in the Middle East, she reflects on the choices and relationships that led her down a trajectory she never meant to take. When a shocking discovery sends her into labour mid-air, Dunya is forced to make the most difficult decision of all.
How do you manage the precarious balance between culture, faith, ambition, family obligations and feminism? And what happens when you hit a little turbulence?
Aspiring documentary-maker Dunya Dawood had exciting plans for her career, until she fell in love. Pregnant and on a flight to New York a decade later, she is upgraded to business class and separated from her husband and son. Away, for once, from her life of domesticity in the Middle East, she reflects on the choices and relationships that led her down a trajectory she never meant to take. When a shocking discovery sends her into labour mid-air, Dunya is forced to make the most difficult decision of all.
How do you manage the precarious balance between culture, faith, ambition, family obligations and feminism? And what happens when you hit a little turbulence?
402 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2026
About the author
Hafsa Lodi
2 books48 followersHafsa Lodi is an American-Muslim journalist who has been covering fashion and culture in the Middle East for more than a decade. She has a BA in journalism from Ryerson University (Toronto) and an MA in Islamic law from SOAS, University of London. She writes frequently about the intersection of faith, fashion and feminism, and her work has appeared in The Independent, Refinery29, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, Vogue Arabia, Stylist, Glamour, The National, Luxury, Mojeh, Grazia Middle East, GQ Middle East, gal-dem and more.
Hafsa’s debut non-fiction book Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, commissioned and published by Neem Tree Press, launched at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival. It explores the causes, controversies and key players of the global modest fashion movement from cultural, religious, political and feminist lenses. Harper’s Bazaar US called it “a well-researched and tender portrait of the politics and people behind a movement.”
Hafsa’s debut non-fiction book Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, commissioned and published by Neem Tree Press, launched at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival. It explores the causes, controversies and key players of the global modest fashion movement from cultural, religious, political and feminist lenses. Harper’s Bazaar US called it “a well-researched and tender portrait of the politics and people behind a movement.”
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Who is Dunya? Is she a reflection of her ideals, as she would like to believe, or is she an embodiment of the choices she made along the way?
Dunya is jaded and cynical, and as her narrative reveals how she's lost herself to a sea of cultural and societal expectations, you can see why. But left alone with her thoughts on a long-haul flight, she remembers her ambitions as a progressive voice for change, and considers her own role in becoming a passive critic of a society she's reluctantly embraced.
This book is an excellent reminder not to hide who you are on the inside from the world. Hafsa Lodi's first foray into fiction is a deft exploration of how religion can be subverted by patriarchal structures, making it nigh-on impossible to reconcile with feminist ideals.
Dunya is jaded and cynical, and as her narrative reveals how she's lost herself to a sea of cultural and societal expectations, you can see why. But left alone with her thoughts on a long-haul flight, she remembers her ambitions as a progressive voice for change, and considers her own role in becoming a passive critic of a society she's reluctantly embraced.
This book is an excellent reminder not to hide who you are on the inside from the world. Hafsa Lodi's first foray into fiction is a deft exploration of how religion can be subverted by patriarchal structures, making it nigh-on impossible to reconcile with feminist ideals.
March 23, 2026
Turbulence is a story of a young, Muslim woman named Dunya who dreams of becoming a documentary-maker. She is however torn between society's expectations of a woman and her religion. Later, she grapples with her role as a mother and wife.
The story is set in the present with a pregnant Dunya on a flight to New York. During the journey she reminisces her life choices, and as she goes into labour she has to make the most difficult decision she's ever made.
Dunya is torn between religion, her feminist beliefs and her personal identity. Can they work together or will they clash?
As a Muslim mother and wife I don't think I've related more to a book as I have with Turbulence. Dunya is strong and charismatic- part of her reminds me of myself as a youngster. The various mentions of motherhood also had me nodding along in agreement.
Hafsa's style of writing is almost poetic. She connects to her audience with humour and honesty, and the book was a delight to read!
The story is set in the present with a pregnant Dunya on a flight to New York. During the journey she reminisces her life choices, and as she goes into labour she has to make the most difficult decision she's ever made.
Dunya is torn between religion, her feminist beliefs and her personal identity. Can they work together or will they clash?
As a Muslim mother and wife I don't think I've related more to a book as I have with Turbulence. Dunya is strong and charismatic- part of her reminds me of myself as a youngster. The various mentions of motherhood also had me nodding along in agreement.
Hafsa's style of writing is almost poetic. She connects to her audience with humour and honesty, and the book was a delight to read!
February 17, 2026
Turbulence by Hafsa Lodi is a breeze to read, yet it carries meaningful and reflective challenges that linger long after the final page. The novel thoughtfully explores themes of womanhood, faith, identity, and family, offering perspectives that feel both intimate and deeply relatable.
What makes Turbulence especially compelling is how it navigates personal struggles alongside cultural and spiritual expectations without feeling heavy-handed. Instead, the story flows with emotional honesty and nuance, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs, relationships, and sense of self.
It’s hard to believe this is Hafsa Lodi’s debut novel. Her voice feels assured and authentic, and the storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
What makes Turbulence especially compelling is how it navigates personal struggles alongside cultural and spiritual expectations without feeling heavy-handed. Instead, the story flows with emotional honesty and nuance, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs, relationships, and sense of self.
It’s hard to believe this is Hafsa Lodi’s debut novel. Her voice feels assured and authentic, and the storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
May 10, 2026
A heartening debut by Hafsa Lodhi. Had previously only read articles by her, never a work of fiction.
A stunning portrayal of faith and feminism and what it means to truly choose a life that you are proud of. Her subtle prose led me to analyse many parts of faith that I previously just park because they have been taught to us in a certain patriarchal gaze never questioning much less challenging ‘the ways of the world.’
And that afterschool study group by Kiara, I would’ve loved to be a part of!
Readers looking to observe intersectional exploration of motherhood, womanhood and faith, this is a deeply intelligent read. I encourage you to pick it up.
A stunning portrayal of faith and feminism and what it means to truly choose a life that you are proud of. Her subtle prose led me to analyse many parts of faith that I previously just park because they have been taught to us in a certain patriarchal gaze never questioning much less challenging ‘the ways of the world.’
And that afterschool study group by Kiara, I would’ve loved to be a part of!
Readers looking to observe intersectional exploration of motherhood, womanhood and faith, this is a deeply intelligent read. I encourage you to pick it up.
February 23, 2026
I just finished Turbulence, and it truly lives up to its name.The book is an emotional, thought-provoking journey. Dunya is a refreshing and deeply relatable character, imperfect yet real, as she navigates identity, faith, motherhood, marriage, and life as an expat. Her growth reminds us that not everyone has clear answers, and that judging others’ choices is often easier from the outside. The story encourages empathy and patience with life’s difficult decisions.
February 17, 2026
The best book I’ve read in a long time. It’s beautifully layered yet flows effortlessly, and Dunya stays with you long after you’ve finished. I really love Hafsa’s writing style. Hafsa’s writing is confident and nuanced, particularly in her use of symbolism, never forced or obvious yet it lands deeply with the reader
April 20, 2026
I received this book as part of my monthly book subscription with Parho.
The story of Dunya is one that we can all relate to in some way shape of form and one I have highly recommend my daughter to read.
Navigating between culture, faith, losing yourself. Promised of one thing only for it to be only words.
Dunya isn’t just a character in a book she is us.
The story of Dunya is one that we can all relate to in some way shape of form and one I have highly recommend my daughter to read.
Navigating between culture, faith, losing yourself. Promised of one thing only for it to be only words.
Dunya isn’t just a character in a book she is us.
February 1, 2026
Such a phenomenal book that beautifully captures the inner struggles we all face when comparing ourselves to others in a material-driven world, while also exploring the many layers of faith and spirituality and where we each fall on that spectrum. Deeply relatable and so thought-provoking!
February 17, 2026
One of the most amazing books I've read in a long time! It's a type of book you will want to read again and again and in that you'll learn something new about yourself and the characters it's very layered and a beautiful journey to go on! Highly recommend.
April 4, 2026
Loved this book. Sheds a light on many of the internal conflicts women go through in the Middle East while reconciling our different identities as wives, mothers, and career-women. What I really enjoyed was the plot twist that I absolutely didn’t see coming!
May 6, 2026
A beautiful read that explores what it means to be a muslim woman in the modern world. It got me thinking about a lot of things regarding faith and practising Islam. Dunya is a character you’ll relate to especially if you’re someone who has ties to the Middle East!
May 29, 2026
Such a thoughtful and compelling read. Turbulence explores faith, marriage, motherhood, ambition and identity with a lot of nuance, and it’s refreshing to see a Muslim female perspective like this at the centre of the story.
Really glad stories like this are being written.
Really glad stories like this are being written.
May 25, 2026
Wow.
May 29, 2026
I loved reading this book! It has so many relatable moments as a Muslim girl growing up in the west.
January 29, 2026
Loved this book. Dunya is so relatable, it often felt like her thoughts were my own. Beautifully written, it completely pulls you into her world. Definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews