Radiant Fugitives : A Novel

Radiant Fugitives: A Novel by Nawaaz Ahmed is a multigenerational family story set in Obama-era America, where personal relationships unfold against a backdrop of social and political change. Following three generations of a Muslim Indian family, the novel explores identity, belonging, faith and the enduring bonds of love as its characters confront years of estrangement, misunderstanding and hope.

Centred on Seema, a political consultant working on Kamala Harris's attorney general campaign in San Francisco, the novel brings together family members separated by distance and unresolved conflict. As they reunite during a pivotal week before the birth of Seema's child, long-held secrets and emotional wounds resurface, revealing the complexities of forgiveness, acceptance and family across cultures and generations.

About This Book

Set between California, Texas and memories of Chennai, Radiant Fugitives: A Novel examines the intersections of family, religion and identity through the experiences of Seema, her mother Nafeesa and her sister Tahera. Their reunion becomes an opportunity to revisit difficult choices, fractured relationships and differing beliefs while navigating the expectations of family and community.

The story is uniquely narrated from the perspective of Seema's child at the moment of birth, giving the novel a distinctive narrative voice. Drawing on the poetry of Wordsworth and Keats alongside verses from the Quran, Nawaaz Ahmed weaves literary, spiritual and emotional influences into a story that reflects on love, reconciliation and the search for understanding.

What You'll Discover

• A multigenerational story of a Muslim Indian family's evolving relationships.
• The impact of estrangement, reconciliation and long-held family conflicts.
• Themes of identity, faith, acceptance and forgiveness.
• Obama-era America as the backdrop to personal and political change.
• A distinctive narrative told from the perspective of a newborn child.
• Literary references to Wordsworth, Keats and verses from the Quran.

Perfect For

• Readers of literary fiction.
• Those interested in multigenerational family stories.
• Readers exploring themes of identity, faith and belonging.
• Fans of character-driven novels set against historical and political change.

Why You'll Love This Book

Radiant Fugitives: A Novel combines intimate family drama with broader questions of identity, faith and belonging. Through its distinctive narrative style and richly drawn characters, Nawaaz Ahmed offers a thoughtful exploration of forgiveness, acceptance and the enduring connections that shape families across generations.