An orphan grapples with gender, siblinghood, family, and coming-of-age as a Muslim in America in this lyrical debut novel from the acclaimed author of If They Come For Us

Praise for Fatimah Asghar

'When We Were Sisters is a beautiful, richly layered exploration of the generosity that is required to raise oneself, to raise others, to build a world where the people you love can feel safe and whole. Fatimah Asghar is an impressive writer precisely because of how she doesn't withhold tenderness, and lets it play and flourish amongst all of the brilliant lyricism, narrative sharpness and vibrant characters who fill this incredible book'
Hanif Abdurraqib

'Fatimah Asghar's When We Were Sisters is a stunning accomplishment in form, storytelling, and heart. This novel works language into its most jeweled form, into characters, sisters, that will stay with me for the rest of my life' Safia Elhillo

'In this captivating, gorgeously written book, Asghar weaves a tale of sisters in the wake of unspeakable loss. Propulsively readable and experimental in form, this is an unflinching look at family, grief and reclamation - of self and other' Hala Alyan

'A spellbinding tale of three sisters in an explosion of grief and orphaned heartbreak . . . When We Were Sisters pulses with poetic lyricism and raw beauty . . . Fatimah Asghar has written a truly dazzling story' Julián Delgado Lopera