Paper Moon Bookshop’s Book of the Moment: Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

A messy break up and a lost sense of self leads Nadia to accept a position in Iraq that aims to deradicalise ISIS brides. All too quickly, Nadia becomes aware of the realities of international aid, and the difficulties she faces trying to support these women. It is here that she meets Sara, a precocious East Londoner who joined ISIS at fifteen, and Nadia is struck by how similar the two are. A powerful friendship forms, and Nadia is forced to make decisions that may cost her more than just her job. 

Despite the intense subject matter, Fundamentally had me laughing out loud. Younis expertly uses dark humour to navigate an incredibly complex situation and offers an insightful take on the difficulties faced by individuals and organisations offering and receiving humanitarian aid. While Nadia was not a ‘perfect’ person, and her flaws are often the focal point of the story, I found myself drawn to her and constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what she would do next. Ultimately, Fundamentally is a beautifully written story of both self-discovery and belonging. 

Find Fundamentally and more at Paper Moon Bookshop in Jeffreys Passage.

Written by Hannah Richardson