Fire & Silk

by S Rashed

Though a romantic at heart, Jenna Sabbagh never believed in things like love at first sight. Full of restlessness and a deep-seated wanderlust, Jenna has spent years dating men who, in the end, proved that single life wasn't nearly as bad as everyone tried to make it out to be. The one, true, constant in her life has always been her art, and spending years perfecting her craft has created a complicated love affair with her medium of choice. Growing up, she wanted nothing more than to see her work displayed in galleries and museums around the world. But, Jenna knows all too well that in her line of work, impressing the right people is everything; and she's spent the last several years going to art shows and doing exactly that. Though talented, Jenna often finds herself having to juggle her passions with her identity as a Muslim; which isn't always easy. Especially in a world where anti-Muslim sentiments run deep. Between casual bigotry and outright racism, Jenna struggles to manoeuvre through the complex politics that seem to define the society of high art. Staying true to herself while representing her culture are her driving forces; a balance that becomes harder to maintain with every passing day. Hoping to find an audience that will share her vision, Jenna decides to attend the Marrakech Biennale. Arriving in Morocco with her two best friends, Layan and Mimi, Jenna is sure that the city holds the secret to putting her on the map. But, it isn't answers she finds during one sultry, perfumed, night in the heart of an ancient city. In the shadow of a bonfire and surrounded by the beat of drums, she meets Sam.

228 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2019