LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
Largely set in Bradford as the Grenfell tragedy unfolds in London, Sairish Hussain’s Hidden Fires sees an apparently chalk-and-cheese grandfather and granddaughter — both lost, lonely souls adrift from the world — form a lifechanging bond. Also taking in the cruelties of teenage bullying, the horrors of Partition in Pakistan, racist attitudes towards interracial couples, and the vital need to talk and listen, it comes recommended for adult and young adult readers who love immersive fiction that explores family dynamics.
One night, Yusef is woken — again — by a nightmare of burning while the Grenfell fire erupts on TV. At the same time, in another city, his granddaughter Rubi is also awake and sees the same horrifying images. Then, when Rubi’s maternal grandmother dies in her Spanish villa and her parents fly out to make arrangements, Rubi is sent to stay with Yusef.
While things don’t exactly get off to the best start, Rubi sees Yusef in an entirely different light when she finds him terrified. Little by little, he opens up to her about the secret family tragedy that’s haunted him for decades, while Rubi gradually opens up about her experience of bullying.
By turns heart-breaking and heart-mending, and always honest, Hidden Fires radiates a wonderful sense of Yusef’s community in Bradford, and a truly beautiful representation of intergenerational connections.
Joanne Owen
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Hidden Fires Synopsis
How can you live in the present when you’re trying to bury the past?
Ramadan, 2017. Yusuf wakes up in the middle of the night to pray. His routine is always the same, but something tells him that tonight is different. Yellow flames blur Yusuf’s vision, and the laughter of a small child echoes in his ears. But this time, the red, smoke-filled skies aren’t just in his memory.
Miles away, Rubi is also awake. On the television, she watches reports of a devastating fire in London. She is already anxious when her parents send her to stay with her Grandpa Yusuf, whose conservative house rules are almost as unbearable as the loneliness she feels at home. Yusuf’s lifestyle does not gel with Rubi’s. But when she finds him scared and confused one night, it becomes clear that there’s more to her grandfather than Rubi ever considered.
As Yusuf grapples with the past, Rubi is determined to save him. But the memories that are recovered and spoken of for the first time in years are more painful than she could have imagined. Hidden Fires explores grief and loss, the power of family ties, and the long arm of history.
Hidden Fires explores grief and loss, the power of family ties, and the long arm of history.
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Press Reviews
Sairish Hussain Press Reviews
Praise for Sairish Hussain:
‘I sped through The Family Tree, because I was so invested in the characters and eager to know their fate. The book was much darker and more tragic than I had been expecting – and all the better for it. An engrossing and moving story.' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures
‘A brilliant read. This book is everything it promises to be and more. I was totally engrossed and invested in Amjad, Saahil and Zahra’s lives. A masterclass in representation and brilliant writing.’ Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past is a Foreign Country
‘Hussain weaves a tale of fragility and resilience, of the extraordinary in ordinary lives and of love and complexity in family. A wonderful debut.’ Catherine Mayer
‘A multi-generational story crafted with warmth and an insider’s understanding of its environment. Hussain evokes the trials and tribulations of life in an Asian family growing up in a changing and sometimes hostile Britain with a surefooted ease and a keen sense of dramatic tension. An engaging debut.’ Vaseem Khan
‘Provides a much needed voice for characters who have been drastically affected by the headlines throughout an emotionally wrought narrative.’ Magic Radio
‘Such an emotional, heart-warming and unforgettable experience… I cared desperately about the characters and was often in tears as I read – the story is so moving and Sairish Hussain is a VERY talented writer’ Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie to You?
‘Pulsating with dramatic tension, Hussain poignantly paints the extraordinary in ordinary lives. A moving story of love, laughs and loyalty makes for a brilliant first book from Hussain.’ Sunday Post
