My name is Salma

I loved the non-linear narrative in this novel which swirls between Salma's different lives in the Levant, in a Lebanese convent, and in England. I felt the device gave a wonderful sense of her confusion and sense of alienation. A seemingly innocuous sight or scent sends her mind wandering into poignant memories of a home to which she can no longer return. Salma is a complex character. I enjoyed spending time with her and understanding her dreams and ambitions, yet I often didn't like how she acted. My Name Is Salma is an interesting novel for its genre in that it doesn't overly glamorise British life or villify life in the Middle East. Both are presented as having their good points and their grim sides. The descriptions of Exeter are frequently very depressing and remarkably accurate!

I liked that Salma's struggles with fitting into a new society and learning the English language are sensitively portrayed. Her landlady, Liz, embodies much of the traditional British nostalgia for a 'glorious' and entitled past and attitudes such as her exploitation by her BNP supporting employer show a disturbing level of hypocrisy. Salma's longing for her vanished child is a strong theme throughout the novel and I thought this part of the storyline's resolution was perhaps the least convincing aspect. However I could understand why Faqir chose to conclude her novel like this. From a literary perspective it works although I wondered how genuine such a scenario would be.