Fundamentally: A Novel
A wickedly funny and audacious debut novel following an academic who flees from heartbreak and lands in Iraq with a one-of-a-kind job offer—only to be forced to do the work of confronting herself.
*AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER*
*WINNER OF THE 2025 COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PUBISHED NOVEL AWARD*
*WINNFER OF THE 2025 COMEDY IN WOMEN IN PRINT PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2025*
When Nadia Amin, a witty and bighearted PhD, publishes an article on deradicalization, everything changes. The United Nations comes calling with an opportunity to put her theory into practice and lead a rehabilitation program for women caught in the crosshairs of harmful ideology. And why not? Abandoned by her mother and devastated by unrequited love, she leaps at the chance.
In Iraq, Nadia quickly realizes she’s in over her head. The UN is a mess of competing interests, and her team consists of Goody Two-shoes Sherri who never passes up an opportunity to remind Nadia of her objections; and Pierre, a snippy Frenchman who has no qualms about perpetually scrolling through Grindr. But then Nadia meets Sara, a hilarious, foul-mouthed East Londoner who was pulled into radicalism at just fifteen. The two are kindred spirits, and Nadia vows to get Sara home.
As the rehabilitation program picks up traction, Sara reveals a secret that upends everything, forcing Nadia to make a drastic choice. In the fallout, Nadia’s brown-savior fantasies crumble, leaving her to wonder if she can save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.
A fierce, wildly funny, and razor-sharp exploration of radicalism, family, and the quest for belonging, Fundamentally boldly inspects one of the defining controversies of our age and introduces a fearless new voice in contemporary fiction.
*AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER*
*WINNER OF THE 2025 COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PUBISHED NOVEL AWARD*
*WINNFER OF THE 2025 COMEDY IN WOMEN IN PRINT PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2025*
When Nadia Amin, a witty and bighearted PhD, publishes an article on deradicalization, everything changes. The United Nations comes calling with an opportunity to put her theory into practice and lead a rehabilitation program for women caught in the crosshairs of harmful ideology. And why not? Abandoned by her mother and devastated by unrequited love, she leaps at the chance.
In Iraq, Nadia quickly realizes she’s in over her head. The UN is a mess of competing interests, and her team consists of Goody Two-shoes Sherri who never passes up an opportunity to remind Nadia of her objections; and Pierre, a snippy Frenchman who has no qualms about perpetually scrolling through Grindr. But then Nadia meets Sara, a hilarious, foul-mouthed East Londoner who was pulled into radicalism at just fifteen. The two are kindred spirits, and Nadia vows to get Sara home.
As the rehabilitation program picks up traction, Sara reveals a secret that upends everything, forcing Nadia to make a drastic choice. In the fallout, Nadia’s brown-savior fantasies crumble, leaving her to wonder if she can save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.
A fierce, wildly funny, and razor-sharp exploration of radicalism, family, and the quest for belonging, Fundamentally boldly inspects one of the defining controversies of our age and introduces a fearless new voice in contemporary fiction.
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Community Reviews
I have mixed feelings about this book as I enjoyed the lighthearted and witty writing but also found the topics were approached in a bubblegum washed way. I devoured this book as I did enjoy the plot but also found myself wishing that such threatening and dangerous points weren't written with an softened manner. I was surprised to learn the author had experience with these topics which make me think either this book was downplayed for the enjoyment factor of the reader or maybe reality only looks at extreme events to scare us. I would still recommend this book for all as it is a unique storyline that isn't too heavy for book clubs.
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