Aspiring photographer Dunya Noor discovers early on that her curious spirit, rebellious nature and very curly hair are a recipe for disaster in 1980s Syria. And at the tender age of thirteen, she’s exiled to live with her grandparents in England.

Published in 2018 by the American University in Cairo Press, Hoopoe Fiction.

Polari First Book Prize Shortlist, 2019

MTV Arabia’s English Language Book Choice, November 2018

Sophia Blackwell’s 100 books of 2020

Melanie Magidow’s Favourite six MENA Books, 2021

A story of love and light against the forces of conservatism and oppression.

A vivid and satirical debut novel

Available in all major bookshops & online stores

“From the very start, the writing grips you with its arresting, lively style. Poetic imagery and laugh-out-loud humour abound. At the centre of everything a protagonist who is never less than charismatic and engaging."

John MCcullough, poet, winner of the Hawthornden prize for literature 2020, Polari First Book Prize Judge 2019.

“One of the best novels I’ve read by a living author. Masterful writing, brilliant characterization, witty humor, and an original love story set in a magical world. I fell in love with the Noor family and found the book hard to put down.”

Nektaria Anastasiadou, author of A Recipe for Daphne

“I loved this book! Magical writing and such a beautiful story. Thank you for this novel whose characters with their glorious curly hair will stay with me. Read this!”

Mona Al-Tahawy, award-winning Egyptian-American author and journalist

“[Dunya Noor] - like a Syrian Amélie. A tantalizing comedy of errors. If you liked Persepolis by M. Satrapi, you might like this, and vice versa.”

Melanie Magidow's Favourite Mena Books for 2021

“A fabulous novel by brilliant Rana Haddad that captures the unparalleled absurdity of totalitarianism with true comic genius.”

Rana Kabbani, author of Imperial Fictions: Europe’s Myths of the Orient