One of The New York Times's 'Novels Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026' From one of the boldest and most captivating voices in world literature, a sensual and provocative coming-of-age novel about a young Arab woman on a quest for sexual and political freedom 'Propulsive and fearless . . . I won't be surprised if this book finds readers for generations to come.' --Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Homeland Elegies and The Radiance 'Leila Slimani is one of our best writers, a master stylist and an exquisite storyteller. I read anything she writes.' --Rabih Alameddine, National Book Award-winning author of The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) Q: If your house was burning down, what would you take with you? A: I'd take the fire. --Jean Cocteau Mia Daoud yearns to be free. Growing up in socially conservative Morocco, her imagination fired by her banker father's charisma and political idealism, her doctor mother's feminist example and social conscience,