Thank you to the publisher and netGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is a heartbreaking story. The writing is lyrical and flows very well but the story is certainly very heavy and, I feel, left a few things unresolved.

Would love to read more from the author

Lyrically written a heartbreaking story of three orphaned sisters the uncle who takes them in their lives with him.Told from the pov of the youngest sister this touches on so many topics that are emotional moving I could not put it down.#netgalley #randomhouse

I love a book that authentically conveys the voice of a child, without sounding too juvenile. This book walks that line beautifully.

When We Were Sisters tells the story of three orphaned sisters from the POV of the youngest girl, Kausar. Her emotions are fierce and fiery, and you feel her love for her sisters radiating off the page. You can also feel her fear and her anger as she stands up against a world that is stacked against her.

The end felt a little abrupt. It jumped so many years that I would have liked to hear more about.

Thank you to the publisher and netGalley for allowing me to read this novel before its publish date.

I gave this book a 4/5 stars.

- I absolutely loved how well this novel was written. It was so lyrical and beautiful & to have it coming from the viewpoint of the littlest sister made you question how a young girl could think this beautifully or see the world that way, especially a world that was often dark and sad.

- I was able to bing read this book, and found myself being unable to put it down.

- I was really invested in the sisters. I wanted them to do well and genuinely wanted to see how their story turned out.

- I was trying to figure out why the Uncle’s name was as redacted. I was hoping to find out his name in the end (why I’m not sure) - but it was never revealed- I’d love to find out why the author did this. (No need to name the abuser maybe?)

- I wished the ending was slightly different and I’m surprised at the way it all turned out, but I still really enjoyed it.

I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read :)

This lyrical novel about orphaned sisters dealing with gender, siblinghood/sisterhood, family, and coming-of-age as Muslims in America is such a heartbreaking, intense, and moving story. The story is told through the perspective of one of the sisters about herself, her sisters, and others who come and go in her life. Even though it’s told only through one of the characters, you really get to know the other characters as well as if they were telling their own stories/perfectives. Fatima Asghar’s fiction debut is one to put on the reading list. But, be prepared for an emotional storm–but in a good way. Fatima’s storytelling is powerful. I can’t wait to read more from Fatimah.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The book comes out October 18, 2022.

I think that my main problem with the book, or at least the reason I did not like it more, was that the story ended at what would probably make a more beginning. I would have found it more interesting to see the sisters attempting to live their lives apart from each other in the wake of their uncle's death, with scenes of his parents (or lack thereof) scattered throughout as backstories. That isn't to say that the story told is bad, but I felt that it failed to distinguish itself from other coming-of-age novels in which class and culture play a large role. The short chapters were one of the novel's biggest strengths and allowed for an easy reading experience. I would probably lightly recommend this novel to interested parties at my work.

A nice debut novel. The writing style is good with mixing poetry and points of view as a filler but it is a heavy read. I think a trigger warning is something that should be considered for readers.

When We Were Sisters is a brilliant fiction debut from multi-talented author Fatimah Asghar. They infuse the novel with lyricism and trade on their work in American poetics to create deeply nuanced prose that is sure to resonate with readers. Asghar shows a keen sense of pacing and characterization, moving readers across years deftly without leaving readers feeling disconnected. Fans of Asghar will notice hints of their biography in the protagonist's lives, which lends authenticity and relatability to a novel that invests itself fully in the relationships formed in immigrant communities. The author further humanizes one of the most politicized issues in contemporary America, centering the lived experiences of first generation and undocumented immigrants as a means to challenge the negative stereotypes and fearmongering put forth by conservative politicians. Asghar offers a strong and engaging rebuttal without ever explicitly invoking politics, a feat that renders the novel widely accessible and timely. Asghar once again signals themselves as one of the most diversely talented writers living in America, clearly establishing their place in American fiction with this phenomenal debut.

Kausar and her two older sisters are orphaned, stuck with an uncle who neglects them and keeps them in a shabby apartment, expecting them to care for themselves, despite their young age. Kausar grows up with a lot of feelings of guilt, worships her sisters who are more than sisters, sometimes mothers, sometimes brothers, sometimes whatever they need to be for each other.

A beautiful, heartbreaking story that fans of Safia Elhillo, Akwaeke Emezi, Ocean Vuong, books in verse, or novels written by poets, generally speaking. I love everything about this book - it's easily one of the best I've read this year. I hope this book will find the people who need it.

I especially love the fresh style of writing this story is told in, incorporating occasional verse, interview-type dialogue, and other things my simple novel-model-reader mind cannot name. The writing itself is excellent, growing more mature as the character ages, for example. At times, the length of the chapters adjusts to the length of the thoughts of Kausar, sentences growing shorter and choppier with panic and dreamy and fuzzy with episodes of dissociation. I didn't really understand the ending, I don't know that it fit well with the main character's arc, but it didn't lessen my appreciation for the story at all.

I also love so much the way the author captured the unique love-adoration-worship that younger sisters have for their older sisters - and the ways sisters/siblings are so open and vulnerable to each other that they also tend to be the ones who can harm us the most, the deepest, the worst, the quickest, the easiest. It's a relationship/connection that deserves to get more attention in literature.

My only complaint is that the pacing did feel a bit off, with the beginning (30%) feeling achingly slow (especially because it's such heartbreaking content) and the rest of the book flying. Secondly, the book is very sad, it's dark. That's not a critique as, obviously, some stories must be dark to be told at all, but beware if you tend to hate books that are not (sad + happy ending) or (sad + hopeful), but are just honest and open and sad (still, it's brilliant writing - keep that in mind) you may not enjoy this one.

Three orphaned sisters are taken in by an uncle more interested in collecting their government checks than in taking care of them.

This is a beautiful lyrical work of what is essentially an ugly story. It's always intriguing when an author manages to create something beautiful out of what is really quite a tragedy. Asghar is hugely successful in this work about three orphans who are left to struggle on their own. Each time they find a bit of comfort, it is torn away from them and yet they go on and on because what choice is there but to do so. There are so many details and relationships to look at. It would be an excellent choice for both book clubs and college classrooms. The style of the book is quite unique and effective. Everyone should read this book because I do believe it will speak to each reader differently. An easy five stars for me.

This book is one of the most stunning and compelling books I’ve read and it is easily one of my favorites of the year. The writing immediately drew me in — I’m such a sucker for beautiful prose, and the author’s keen attention to phrases and sentence structure is so evident with the seamless transitions between structured (yet poignant!) prose and lyrical free verse poetry.

The themes of navigating a life rocked with grief, neglect, abuse, found family/chasms between blood family, and questions of religion, sexuality, and gender identity were heartbreaking and at times quite heavy. Yet, I appreciated the delicateness and honesty with which these themes were handled, and loved the way in which identity was given a fluid nature — after all, identities have the capacity to shape and mold and change as we grow and learn more about ourselves and are impacted by the world, and the author clearly has an insightful understanding of this. Though I cannot personally speak for this, the representation of Muslim-American children growing up in a world both pre- and post-9/11 is so masterful and important. I especially loved being able to relate to specific aspects of South Asian culture that I have fond (and sometimes bittersweet) memories of throughout my own life.

Though the book as a whole picture left me with a pit in my stomach and yearning to wrap these children in bubble wrap, the ending was so sweet and uplifting, and a beautiful reminder that the people you choose to love and who love you will always find their way back to each other.

Thank you Netgalley and One World for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"When We Were Sisters" is one of the most beautiful works of literature I have read this year and a debut I am greatly excited about. Asghar seamlessly moves between stunning and evocative prose to lyrical free verse, which adds an element to reading this story that will only further immerse the reader.
The story follows three sisters, focussing on the youngest Kausar's point of view, as they grow up Muslim and orphaned in America. Each sister has a distinct personality and the book explores how each one deals with the loss, trauma, and obstacles they face because of their gender, religion, and ethnicity. Centering on sisterhood and the idea of family, the reader follows the sisters through Kausar's eyes and watches how family ties can be formed, broken, and made anew.
At times heartbreaking there is still hope and resilience at the center of this novel, and Asghar explores gender and sexuality within a Muslim American experience in an honest way.

While the writing style may not be for everyone, I urge readers who are hesitant to keep going! The writing is gorgeous and evocative, an incredible debut novel.

I love poets’ novels as a genre, if they count as a genre. The heightened attention to the beauty of each sentence and phrase, the associative grammar of the plot, and sometimes the exploding of what a chapter can look like—Fatimah Asghar's first novel has all these things. Stylistically, it reminds me a lot of Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (and as with Vuong, I’d been a fan of Asghar’s poetry before I picked up the novel). It’s a coming-of-age tale for queer Asian youth, and its musings alternatively undulate and slice. Yet it would be unfair to compare it too closely to Vuong’s novel, as this one has a life of its own.

When We Were Sisters follows Kausar, the youngest of three Pakistani-American sisters who are orphaned at a young age, leaving an uncle whose name is always redacted in the text to be their official guardian. The uncle, separated from his white wife, aggressively tries to cordon the girls off from his life while proudly touting his generosity in keeping them from foster care. He places them in a separate apartment, eventually with no guardian. The girls have to be their own parents. Adolescence is rough enough as is—and these girls have to endure normal problems amidst the abuse of their uncle, plus 9/11 occurs mid-novel. In spite of this, the novel never feels too heavy, relishing in its beautiful language for faith, devotion, and hope. My only disappointment is that its flash-forward coda is a little short, and I would have liked a bit more closure for these characters—but perhaps closure is as elusive here as in real life.

The book was absolutely heartbreaking. I loved the lyrical style in which this book was told. I felt like I couldn't put it down. The style makes this book so captivating. There are such interesting themes of sisterhood, family, gender, race, religion, and ethnicity in this book.

3.5/5
This is such a heartbreaking and beautiful story. The writing is gorgeous and it flows just like poetry. Fatimah Asghar is a great writer.

This story is about 3 sisters after the death of their parents. They go to live with their unnamed uncle. It follows them as they start to grow up and want to make their own way into the world. A beautiful story about love and family. It does talk about heavy topics, so please check trigger warnings.

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC of When We We’re Sisters. It is a story of three sisters whose father dies and they have to go live with their uncle. One of the sisters is struggling with their identity and sexuality. The writing is poetic and beautiful. The story is sad and there is abuse.

Grief rocks the worlds of sisters Kausar, Aisha, and Noreen in Fatimah Asghar's debut novel "When We Were Sisters". Taken in by an estranged uncle, the sisters attempt to hold on to their sense of family throughout their teenage years but are torn apart by the fractures in their bond.

Kausar, the youngest, struggles with losing her parents and her relationship with her gender and sexual identity. Aisha, the middle sister, consistently spars with Kausar while trying to maintain their family structure. And Noreen, the eldest, must act as their mother while trying to carve her own place in the world. As the sisters age, they each grapple with their Muslim identity,

girlhood, and sense of family while deciding whether to maintain their codependency or create their own lives.
Asghar’s lyrical writing style is unlike any other––a mix of poetry, prose, and poignant narration that beautifully capture the struggles of growing up as a young Muslim woman in America. The rich––yet heart-wrenching––passages throughout the novel and poetic styling paint a collage of the Muslim-American lifestyle, Muslim teachings, and Kausar’s coming-of-age journey with lovely nuance. The narrative shifts from character to character for deeper analyses and the third-person, but most of the novel is told from Kausar’s point of view.

Although I don’t have any sisters, the depiction of sisterhood in this novel felt almost autobiographical from Asghar. Kausar’s experiences with puberty, high school, and navigating racism aren't generalized experiences of Islamophobia but detailed microaggressions. These passages will make readers (mainly non-Muslim ones) think twice about their biases and preconceived notions. I won’t spoil it, but some challenging scenes in “When We Were Sisters” centered around racism, Islamophobia, sexual assault, and gender.

Also, the sisters’ experiences with body image, the quintessential American culture, and sexuality are written with the tenderness of someone who has personally experienced them––so kudos to Asghar. She masterfully conveys the angst, loneliness, and love sisters share through the Muslim-American lens and doesn’t mince any feelings for political correctness.

As Kausar, Aisha, and Noreen grow up and evolve in their Muslim identity, the chasms between them widen until a pivotal scene in the novel bridges that gap. I can’t and won’t speak for the Muslim-American experience. Still, Asghar illuminates an underrepresented community in American society with extraordinary dexterity and grace.

Lyrically stunning and heart-wrenching, “When We Were Sisters” paints an experimental and gorgeous portrait of the young, Muslim-American experience and the bonds between sisters. A must-read for any readers looking for something fresh yet important to Muslim representation in publishing.

I finished this book with a pit in my stomach.

It has left me feeling sad, and as if something within me needs to be fixed. It's not because I can relate to the book, because I can't, really, apart from belonging to the same faith as the sisters. It's something else.

Maybe the language. The book flows like Asghar's previous one did, though that was a poetry anthology. It is lyrical and beautiful and is hard-hitting and soft at the same time.

Or maybe it was the story itself. Tragic, yet one about perseverance.

I would have loved to read on and on about Kausar. The sadness is partly due to my unresolved feelings about the protagonist.

Read it if you like lyrical fiction.

i really, really wanted to love this book but mostly it just made me sad and not rush back to reading it when i put it down, because it was so unrelenting sad.

Three sisters are orphaned and move in with their striving and inattentive uncle, while struggling with forced maturity, religion and love alone in a 1 bedroom apartment.

I struggled with the style- the cross out and omitted names and poetry chapters where i wasnt sure who was speaking made it hard for me to connect. Maybe that was intentional because of how isolated the narrator felt throughout the story, but as reader deserpately wanting to connect, it kept me at arms length.

Thanks net galley for letting me read and review this book. #netgalley