Review of The Strangling Fig by Fauzia Musa

The Strangling Fig is a gorgeously written ghost story that follows generations of women from the 1940s Partition of India through to 2000s America. Fauzia Musa takes us on this journey through a lyrical narrative that blends memories with reality. Teenage Sehir is haunted by the ghost of her grandmother and through this, we learn about the bonds that tie this family together. It’s a story of legacy, inheritance, grief and love that will deeply move any reader with the good taste to pick this up.

I love books that teach me about other places and times through the experiences of fictional families and this novel doesn’t dissapoint. With complex characters, exploration of matriarchal ties and magical prose, this is a book that will leave you feeling a little haunted. In equal parts celebration and criticism, the author does a beautiful job of balancing complicated politics and the devastating impact of Partition with a hopeful future. This is a debut that feels thoughtfully crafted - such a moving and worthwhile read.

Published on 13.08.2026 by Juniper

Reviewed by Abi