Gajarah

Synopsis

With stunning lyricism, Gajarah tells the story of a fearless woman torn between two worlds—Pakistan and Canada— whose life is upended by sexual violence.

Emahn is big-haired, mischievous, and larger than life. Born in the Arabian Gulf, she spends extended summers with her grandparents, aunties, and cousins on the rooftops of Lahore. But tucked away beneath her spirited exterior, Emahn carries the weight of childhood trauma. When she marries and moves to Canada, she quickly learns the art of navigating multiple realities, and compartmentalizing memories of the world she left behind, even as she clings to the stories of her home. She is resilient, she is driven, she is unbreakable. Almost.

When tragedy strikes, Emahn must draw upon the deepest wells of her ancestral strength to survive, even if it means revisiting her gutting past. Braided together with prose, poetry, and mythical parables, Gajarah confronts the realities of forgiveness and justice, and asks what it means to belong to a land that so forcefully pushes one away.

Publication Date: September 2025
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‍For press, media, and speaking inquiries please contact Caitlin Copple, Full Swing PR.

What People Are Saying

Reflections on Gajarah, Somia Sadiq’s powerful debut novel.

"Somia Sadiq takes the reader on a wonderfully intertwined journey of emotions and memories; full of colours and smells that bring these memories alive. It is a powerful telling of the cultural, social and psychological roots of her choice to heal and, through that healing, make a positive difference in the world. Brava!"

— Susan Hartley, PhD, Psychologist and Editor

Global Voices for Peace: An Introduction to Peacebuilders and the Hope They Bring

"Gajarah is a fierce and tender ode to the strength of women and the power of community. With raw honesty, Sadiq weaves vibrant storytelling with lyrical grace to create a story that settles deep in your bones—haunted by sorrow and pain, lit by identity and survival, and held together by a shared humanity that binds us all."

— Sara Davidson, Registered Psychotherapist and Author

Any Body Can Heal

“Somia Sadiq has written not just a book, but a banquet; not just a story, but a feast, filled with delicious language, tasting love and pain, seared in the fire of war and loss, and softened in the water of peace and forgiveness. When we are surrounded by so much hatred and hostility toward immigrants, Sadiq reminds us of what travelers bring-the gift of cultures that are different from our own, and stories that connect us, and make us human."

— Kenneth Cloke, Author

The Dance of Opposites, The Magic in Mediation

"This novel is both a psychological and emotional gut punch, inviting readers to relate, connect, and reflect — regardless of background. Gajarah reveals the universal threads that allow us to heal; the need for persistence, the power of connection, and the deep, often overlooked healing that emerges through a reconnection with culture. More than a novel, Gajarah is a journey through survival and softness, grief and grace."

— Dr. Rehman Y. Abdulrehman, Registered Clinical Psychologist and Author

Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence, Jinn in the Family (forthcoming), and The Poetry of Angry Black and Brown People (forthcoming)

"In Somia Sadiq’s rich literary novel Gajarah, a Pakistani woman reclaims her story after violence ... Objects assume a powerful role in the story throughout, becoming focal points for Emahn’s memories. Sumptuous fabrics, dishware, and bangle bracelets are featured, used to convey both longing for home and Emahn’s feelings of displacement in Canada. When she turns toward humanitarian work in her adulthood, it prompts her to muse on the meaning of forgiveness and who holds the power to bestow it."

— Foreword Clarion Reviews

"For anyone looking for a deeply insightful story, grounded in exploring the often-untold narratives of women and girls who face trauma both in their homelands and as immigrants, Gajarah is a powerful and well-written read. The style of writing is also poetic, mystical and echoes the nostalgia and heartbreak that Emahn feels throughout her life for all the things pulling at her—her homeland, her family, her culture, and her aspirations."

— Mohini Dasari, Author

Shaila's Dance

"Fascinating and worthy of book club discussion ... Thoroughly engrossing and hard to put down, Gajarah depicts a journey well worth the time taken to walk in this woman's shoes and navigate her life."

— Midwest Book Review

"Gajarah drew me in right away. Somia has such a powerful way of blending culture, emotion, and storytelling that feels honest and real. It’s layered without being overwhelming, and so many moments made me pause and reflect. The characters feel lived-in, the setting feels familiar even if it’s new, and the themes of family, identity, and legacy are handled with care. I could see the scenes so clearly, like I was right there. It’s the kind of story that lingers in the best way."

— Natalie Bell, PegCityLovely

Synopsis

With stunning lyricism, Gajarah tells the story of a fearless woman torn between two worlds—Pakistan and Canada— whose life is upended by sexual violence.

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