Willow Trees don't Weep

A father sets out to save the Islamic world. A daughter sets out to save herself.

Najwa's father left when she was four years old. Now, upon her mother's death, she cannot live alone in the Islamic society of Jordan. She must find her father.

Her search takes her through new dangers as she becomes swept up with a mysterious organization which sends her into the mountains of Afghanistan.

For her father, this same journey was made as a wrenching sacrifice for the sake of his beliefs. Yet his experience in the desert transformed his life forever.

Now it transforms Najwa's, as she is compelled to follow in his footsteps: from a heartbreaking secret in Afghanistan all the way to a revelation in Britain.

“Written with unhidebound verve . . . an ambitious solution to an impossible task: seeing the Arab Israeli conflict whole-- New Statesman, on Nisanit”

This is a beautifully touching novel that takes us beyond the news bulletins and knee jerk reactions, creating an excellent read while revealing special rewards for the open-minded ... Fadia Faqir gifts us with an entrancing novel that not only crosses continents but also cultures and ideas Bookbag
A compelling narrative ... negotiates the minefield of family, politics and religion fearlessly but with a delicate touch Janet Davey
a major writer Malcolm Bradbury, on Fadia Faqir
Faqir is never so crass to attempt to empathise with either terrorism or torture to the point of justifying either . . . her talent is evident Margaret Forster, on Nisanit
Written with unhidebound verve . . . an ambitious solution to an impossible task: seeing the Arab Israeli conflict whole New Statesman, on Nisanit
'This is a beautifully touching novel that takes us beyond the news bulletins and knee jerk reactions, creating an excellent read while revealing special rewards for the open-minded ... Fadia Faqir gifts us with an entrancing novel that not only crosses continents but also cultures and ideas' Bookbag. Bookbag
'A compelling narrative ... negotiates the minefield of family, politics and religion fearlessly but with a delicate touch' Janet Davey. Janet Davey

Fadia Faqir is a Jordanian-British writer and journalist, and lectures in English Literature at Durham University. She is the author of three novels: Nisanit, Pillars of Salt and My Name is Salma; as well as the editor of a book of autobiographical essays by Arab women writers, In the House of Silence. She lives in Durham.

Her father walked out when she was four and Najwa has struggled to find her place in life. Now after her mother's death, unable to live alone in Jordan's conservative society, she sets out to find her father. He had left, all those years ago, in an idealistic moment, to help a friend in trouble. But what he encounters in the desert transforms his life forever and drives him on a harrowing odyssey to the West. Now as his daughter follows in his footsteps, she too becomes swept up on a dangerous path. Will she find her father, can she ever forgive him and will she find herself? Willow Trees Don't Weep is a heartbreaking story of power and compassion, sharing with us how those endangered by conflict can find beauty in the rubble and discover humanity.

A father sets out to save the Islamic world. A daughter sets out to save herself. Najwa's father left when she was four years old. Now, upon her mother's death, she cannot live alone in the Islamic society of Jordan. She must find her father. Her search takes her through new dangers as she becomes swept up with a mysterious organization which sends her into the mountains of Afghanistan. For her father, this same journey was made as a wrenching sacrifice for the sake of his beliefs. Yet his experience in the desert transformed his life forever. Now it transforms Najwa's, as she is compelled to follow in his footsteps: from a heartbreaking secret in Afghanistan all the way to a revelation in Britain.

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